Poliomyelitis in Pakistan: time for the Muslim world to step in

Global poliomyelitis eradication is almost within reach—this disease persists only in Nigeria, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, which are countries with substantial Muslim populations.1 Today this ambitious goal is threatened, partly by misinformed and politicised religious views that not only seed suspicion about polio vaccination but recently led to murder of polio workers. In Pakistan, 16 workers engaged in a polio vaccination campaign have been killed since December, 2012, halting vaccination in many parts of the country and placing Pakistan\'s 2012 gains in poliomyelitis eradication at risk.2 Copycat attacks followed in Kano, Nigeria, and were thought to be the work of extremist group Boko Haram.3 Although Pakistan\'s Government, civil society, and religious factions have condemned the killings, action is urgently needed to dispel public misperceptions and deter ongoing violence.