While many countries in the world have been declared polio-free, Afghanistan's status, according to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, is still 'ongoing'. Pakistan, too, has failed to control cases of polio. The United Nations (UN) announced Monday that the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan has stopped polio vaccination campaigns in the country, leading to what international media is calling a 'devastating setback' for the eradication of polio, which is a highly infectious and debilitating disease caused by the poliovirus.
It can lead to severe consequences, such as permanent paralysis, disability, and even death. Poliomyelitis usually spreads through fecal-oral transmission (contaminated food, water, or direct contact with infected feces), or person-to-person transmission (coughing, sneezing, or close contact with an infected person). Many countries in the world have been declared polio-free by means of extensive vaccination drives.
But Afghanistan's status -- according to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative -- remains as 'ongoing'. According to news reports, Afghanistan, unfortunately, is only one of the two countries wherein the spread of the fatal disease has never been stopped; the other country being Pakistan. It is a matter of concern for the children in the countries, as their well-being in the formative years can dictate their adulthood, and stopping important health campaigns such as polio can be dangerously counter-productive and regressive.
The UN believes Taliban's decision may have 'major repercussions' for other countries in the region. According to an AP report, the news of the suspension of the polio campaign in Afghanistan was shared with UN agencies before the September immunisation campaign was scheduled to begin. No reasons for the suspension were cited; no one from the Taliban-controlled government was available to comment on it and give an explanation either.
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Partners are in the process of discussing and understanding the scope and impact of any change in current policy." According to the WHO, 18 polio cases have already been reported in Afghanistan this year. In 2023, six cases were reported.
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