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Islamabad, August 18
Pakistan’s struggle to eradicate polio continues as two new cases were confirmed by the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH). One case was detected in Lower Kohistan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the other in Sindh’s Badin district, local media reported on Monday.
The most recent cases involve a six-year-old girl from Union Council Pattan in Lower Kohistan and a 21-month-old girl from Union Council Matli-2, Badin. With these additions, Pakistan’s polio count for 2025 has risen to 21 cases. The outbreak remains distributed, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recording 13 cases, Sindh six, and one each in Punjab and Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB).
Polio, a highly infectious viral disease, disproportionately affects children under the age of five. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no cure for polio; prevention is possible only through reliable and repeated immunization. The polio vaccine, administered multiple times, can provide a child with lifelong protection.
Health experts express concern that ongoing cases demonstrate persistent gaps in vaccine coverage, especially in communities hesitant or unwilling to immunize their children. Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan remain the only countries where wild poliovirus is still endemic, highlighting the need for intensified and sustained vaccination drives.
The nation also contends with security threats against polio teams, particularly in the northwest and southwest regions, complicating efforts to achieve complete eradication.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Readers are encouraged to consult healthcare professionals for any concerns about polio or vaccination.
[Reference: Desh Sewak News, “Two new polio cases in Pakistan raises 2025 tally to 21”]
