Suspension of Vaccination in Afghanistan could lead to Polio spread in region: Australian Media
The Australian media outlet The Conversation has warned that the Taliban’s suspension of the polio vaccination campaign in Afghanistan could lead to the spread of the disease to neighboring countries like India and Iran.
The report, published on Monday, September 23, stated that due to cross-border movement between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the suspension of the polio vaccination campaign poses risks to children in Pakistan as well.
In response to this report, Sharafat Zaman, a spokesperson for the Taliban’s Ministry of Health, stated that “no official letter has been issued regarding the ban on vaccinations.”
Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only two countries that have not been able to eradicate polio.
The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed 18 new cases of polio in Afghanistan and 17 in Pakistan this year. According to Pakistani officials, the total number of recorded polio cases in Pakistan has reached 21.
This marks a significant increase compared to last year, when only six polio cases were reported in Afghanistan.
The Conversation noted that the rise in polio cases in Afghanistan is happening “very rapidly.”
The report further warned that with the decline in vaccinations and the increase in the number of at-risk children, polio cases may surge shortly.
The virus could spread through travel between Afghanistan, Pakistan, and other countries, potentially causing outbreaks in the region, particularly in India and Iran.
Polio is a contagious virus that primarily affects children under the age of five, although unvaccinated individuals of any age can contract the disease.
Previously, the Associated Press, citing the United Nations, reported that the Taliban had halted the polio vaccination campaign.
In response to this report, Sharafat Zaman, a spokesperson for the Taliban’s Ministry of Health, stated that “no official letter has been issued regarding the ban on vaccinations.”
However, health officials involved in the polio vaccination campaign told The Guardian that the Taliban had “temporarily” stopped the campaign due to security concerns and issues surrounding the role of women in the vaccination effort.
The suspension of the polio vaccination campaign in Afghanistan raises significant concerns about the long-term health risks to the region. Without continued efforts to vaccinate, the chances of a wider outbreak grow, endangering vulnerable populations in neighboring countries.
Polio’s contagious nature and the lack of consistent vaccination efforts could hinder global efforts to eradicate the disease, making coordinated international action essential to prevent its further spread.
The post Suspension of Vaccination in Afghanistan could lead to Polio spread in region: Australian Media appeared first on Khaama Press.