Pakistan slapped with Extended Travel Ban by WHO amid surge in Polio Cases

The World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Committee has extended travel restrictions on Pakistan amid a surge in polio cases this year. In view of the ongoing outbreak, travel restrictions have been extended for another 3 months. Officials of the World Health Organization’s Emergency Committee considered the international spread of the poliovirus. The committee reviewed the latest data on wild poliovirus (WPV1) and circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV).and reviewed the progress of affected countries under the Provisional Recommendations. To deal with the increasing number of polio cases. Despite the efforts, the WHO’s decision reflects ongoing concerns about the spread of the virus. The extension of travel restrictions is aimed at preventing further international transmission of the poliovirus and underscores the urgent need to contain the outbreak in the South Asian country. About 55 cases of polio were reported this year, including. Pakistan, along with Afghanistan, is one of the last two countries affected by polio. Polio vaccination efforts have been hampered by fierce opposition from terrorist groups, particularly in border areas, which has led to intimidation and violence against health workers, with nearly 150 vaccinators killed. . Last decade