ISLAMABAD: The World Health Organization (WHO) has extended the travel restrictions imposed on Pakistan for another three months over continued concerns regarding the spread of polio. The extension was recommended by the WHO’s Polio Emergency Committee.
According to the WHO, the continued circulation of wild poliovirus in Pakistan and Afghanistan remains a concern for global public health, while cross-border movement between the two countries continues to pose a risk of virus transmission.
The WHO said 16 polio cases have been reported worldwide so far this year, while poliovirus has been detected in 57 environmental samples collected in Pakistan.
According to the global health body, local transmission of poliovirus continues in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Karachi, with Karachi identified as a major hotspot for the spread of the virus.
The WHO has called for stronger polio vaccination efforts in central Pakistan, southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Quetta block. It also expressed concern over the number of children who remain unvaccinated and security-related challenges affecting vaccination activities in some areas.
