The World Health Organization (WHO) has decided to maintain international travel restrictions on Pakistan for another three months, according to ARY News.
The global health body said the continued spread of poliovirus remains a threat to international public health. It also expressed serious concern over persistent transmission in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
According to the WHO, frequent cross-border movement between the two countries continues to increase the risk of poliovirus transmission. The organization identified this movement as one of the main factors driving the spread of the virus.
The WHO said poliovirus transmission continues from Afghanistan into southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Quetta block.
At the same time, transmission remains active in southern KP and Karachi.
The organization raised particular concern over Karachi, describing the city as a major centre for the continued spread of poliovirus.
The WHO stressed the need for targeted anti-polio vaccination campaigns in Central Pakistan, southern KP and the Quetta block to control transmission.
It also expressed deep concern over the number of children missing polio vaccinations. Vaccine refusals remain another major obstacle to Pakistan’s efforts to eradicate the disease.
According to the WHO communiqué, security challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have prevented as many as 250,000 children from receiving the polio vaccine.
The latest extension means Pakistan will remain subject to the WHO’s conditional international travel measures for at least another three months as authorities continue efforts to stop poliovirus transmission.
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