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Islamabad, Pakistan – February 24, 2025: Pakistan has reported its third polio case of the year, with health officials confirming the latest infection in the country’s southern Sindh province. The case, detected in a child from Larkana district, marks the second reported instance in Sindh this year, while another case was recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Officials from the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH), under the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination, verified the presence of type 1 wild poliovirus in the affected child.
The confirmation comes just weeks after Pakistan conducted its first nationwide polio campaign of 2025, which concluded with an impressive 99 percent target achievement rate. Between February 3 and February 9, health workers successfully administered polio vaccines to over 45 million children across the country, according to the health ministry.
In an effort to bolster immunization efforts, a second round of vaccinations under the expanded program on immunization is currently underway. Additionally, a targeted vaccination drive focusing on over 100 union councils bordering Afghanistan is scheduled from February 24 to February 28, aiming to immunize approximately 660,000 children.
The continued detection of polio cases remains a concern for Pakistan, which reported a total of 74 cases in 2024. The government, along with international health organizations, is striving to eradicate the disease through extensive vaccination programs and awareness campaigns.
Disclaimer: This article is based on official statements and data from health authorities. For the latest updates and official guidelines, please refer to the Ministry of National Health Services and related government agencies.
