The movement of Afghan nationals into Pakistan through illegal routes has emerged as a major challenge to the country’s efforts to eradicate polio, with around 40 per cent of newly reported cases this year genetically linked to the virus circulating in Afghanistan, according to sources.
Sources said environmental samples collected from Quetta, Karachi, Peshawar, Jamshoro and Khyber were found to have links with the Afghan poliovirus.
All three polio cases reported in Khyber district also showed genetic similarities with the virus circulating in Afghanistan.
According to the available figures, Afghanistan has reported 50 polio cases so far this year, while Pakistan has recorded nine cases.
Sources further revealed that poliovirus remains prevalent in environmental samples collected from Nangarhar, Kabul, Kandahar and Helmand.
The findings suggest that cross-border movement is contributing to the spread of poliovirus between the two countries, making Pakistan’s eradication efforts more challenging.
Sources warned that eliminating polio in Pakistan would remain difficult without controlling the transmission of the virus from Afghanistan.