Pakistan Reports Two New Polio Cases, Total Rises to 23 in 2025

Two additional cases of polio have been confirmed in Pakistan, bringing the total number of reported cases for 2025 to 23, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The new infections were identified in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, highlighting ongoing challenges in the country’s efforts to eradicate the disease.

The latest cases involve a 16-month-old girl from Union Council Mullazai in Tank district and a 24-month-old girl from Union Council Miran Shah-3 in North Waziristan district. As of now, KP has reported 15 of the 23 total cases this year, with six cases from Sindh and one each from Punjab and Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan.

Ongoing Concerns Over Polio Eradication Efforts

Polio remains a highly infectious disease that can lead to lifelong paralysis, particularly in children under five years old. The only reliable protection is through repeated doses of the oral polio vaccine (OPV), which are administered during vaccination campaigns. Despite significant progress over the years, the emergence of new cases, especially in southern KP, raises serious concerns for health authorities.

According to the NIH’s Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication, the continued detection of polio cases indicates vulnerabilities in certain populations. Children in remote areas and those with low vaccine acceptance are particularly at risk. To address these challenges, the National and Provincial Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs) are actively working to enhance the quality of vaccination drives.

Last week, two additional polio cases were reported. These included a six-year-old girl from Lower Kohistan district and a 21-month-old girl from Badin district in Sindh. The World Health Organisation (WHO) emphasizes that polio primarily affects children under five, and there is no cure for the disease. Immunisation remains the most effective prevention method.

Endemic Status and Safety Concerns for Health Workers

Pakistan and Afghanistan are currently the only countries where the Wild Poliovirus remains endemic. This status underscores the critical need for sustained vaccination efforts. However, polio workers face numerous challenges, including targeted attacks in certain regions, particularly in the northwest and southwest of Pakistan.

The situation remains dire, as the ongoing detection of polio cases illustrates that many children are still at risk in regions where vaccine uptake is low. Continued vigilance and community engagement are essential to bolster immunisation efforts and protect vulnerable populations.