The World Health Organization (WHO) has kept Pakistan under polio-related international travel restrictions for another three months, citing the continued risk of poliovirus transmission, reported 24NewsHD TV.
The decision was taken following a review by the WHO’s Polio IHR Emergency Committee, which concluded that the international spread of poliovirus continues to constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
The committee expressed concern over ongoing wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) transmission in Karachi and southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan, as well as in southern Afghanistan.
The WHO said cross-border population movement between Pakistan and Afghanistan continues to pose a risk of poliovirus transmission, stressing the need for stronger coordination between the two countries.
Under the temporary recommendations, Pakistani residents and long-term visitors travelling internationally are required to receive a dose of polio vaccine within four weeks to 12 months before travel and obtain an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis issued by NIMS NADRA.
Travellers undertaking urgent international travel who have not received a polio vaccine within the specified period are advised to receive the vaccine by the time of departure.
The WHO committee also called for intensified surveillance, high-quality vaccination campaigns and improved cross-border coordination to increase vaccination coverage among travellers and high-risk populations.
The committee acknowledged efforts by Pakistan and Afghanistan to conduct simultaneous polio campaigns but stressed the need to reach unimmunised and under-immunised children in high-risk areas.
Reporter: Babar Shahzad Turk.