Pakistan reports second polio case of 2025 as eradication struggles persist

ISLAMABAD: In a troubling development, Pakistan has confirmed its second wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) case of 2025. A 48-month-old girl from Union Council (UC) Mithi, Tehsil Tando Bago, District Badin, Sindh, tested positive for the virus, according to the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio at the National Institute of Health (NIH).

This case follows Pakistan’s first reported polio case of the year, detected in a 45-month-old boy from Union Council Lachra, Tehsil Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), with disease onset on January 7, 2025.

The resurgence of polio in 2025 comes on the heels of a severe outbreak in 2024, where the country recorded 74 cases—the highest number in years—underscoring persistent challenges in eliminating the disease.

Urgency for Action: Why This Matters

Health officials stress that continued polio cases highlight gaps in vaccination coverage, community resistance, misinformation, and security concerns hindering immunization drives.

Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts, supported by WHO, UNICEF, and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, have faced repeated setbacks due to:
✅ Vaccine hesitancy fueled by myths and misinformation
✅ Hard-to-reach populations in security-compromised areas
✅ Operational challenges in conducting nationwide polio drives

Experts emphasize that every new polio case is a setback in the global fight to eradicate the disease. Without urgent action, Pakistan risks reversing years of progress, jeopardizing children’s futures and international travel regulations.

Recent Vaccination Efforts and The Way Forward

Pakistan recently concluded its first nationwide polio vaccination drive of 2025, which ran from February 3 to February 9. This campaign aimed to immunize millions of children under the age of five against the virus. However, the detection of another case underscores the urgent need for better coverage, increased awareness, and stronger follow-up efforts.

A Call for Strengthened Vaccination Efforts

The continued detection of polio cases demands an intensified and sustained vaccination drive, greater public awareness, and stronger governmental intervention to protect Pakistan’s children from paralysis and lifelong disability.

What Can You Do?

1. Ensure your child receives polio drops in every campaign
2. Spread awareness in your community about polio risks and prevention
3. Support health workers in their door-to-door vaccination efforts
4. Encourage government and global partners to strengthen immunization strategies

The fight against polio is not just a government effort—it’s a national responsibility. Every missed child means polio has a chance to thrive. Pakistan must act now to ensure that 2025 does not become another tragic year of rising cases.