The World Health Organization on Wednesday decided to prolong travel restrictions on Pakistan for an additional three months due to concerns over the polio virus. The WHO Emergency Committee on Polio recommended the extension of travel restrictions, citing Pakistan and Afghanistan as responsible for the global transmission of the polio virus. According to the declaration of the WHO, ongoing transmission of the virus between the two countries has been observed. A notable increase in polio cases has been detected in sewage samples across Pakistan, with Karachi, Peshawar, and Quetta identified as high-risk areas for the virus. The WHO also expressed concern over the lack of polio vaccination among children in Afghanistan, posing a threat to Pakistan. The cross-border movement of refugees has been identified as a factor in the transfer of polio between the two countries, emphasizing the need for improved vaccination at Pak-Afghan border crossings. As a result of the extended travel restrictions, individuals travelling abroad from Pakistan will be required to provide proof of polio vaccination. Pakistan’s efforts in polio surveillance will be reviewed by WHO after the three-month extension. It’s worth noting that travel restrictions were initially imposed on Pakistan in May 2014 due to the polio outbreak.
