Three new polio cases confirmed in Pakistan as virus spreads to more districts
ISLAMABAD: In a major setback to Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts, three new cases of poliovirus have been reported in a single day, according to the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC). The newly confirmed cases include two children from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)—specifically North Waziristan and Lakki Marwat—and one child from Umerkot district in Sindh.
With these fresh infections, the national polio case count for 2025 has risen to 17, sparking renewed concern among health officials and the public.
“Poliovirus mainly affects children with weak immune systems. Unvaccinated children not only remain vulnerable but can also pose a risk to others. Repeated vaccination is the only way to ensure protection,” the NEOC stated.
Widespread virus detection in sewage samples
Alongside these confirmed cases, the National Reference Laboratory has detected the presence of poliovirus in 28 environmental sewage samples collected from 20 districts across the country—including Islamabad and areas in Punjab, Sindh, KP, and Balochistan.
Health experts warn that the detection of the virus in multiple urban and rural locations signals continued circulation of the disease despite national immunization campaigns. The latest findings underscore the urgent need to accelerate outreach efforts, boost vaccine coverage, and tackle vaccine hesitancy, especially in high-risk zones.
Urgent call for continued immunization
Polio remains a crippling and life-threatening disease, primarily affecting children under the age of five. While Pakistan has made significant progress over the years, sporadic outbreaks continue to threaten global eradication goals. Officials emphasize that community-level awareness, regular door-to-door campaigns, and parental cooperation are crucial to ending polio transmission once and for all.
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