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GENEVA/ISLAMABAD – The World Health Organization (WHO) has extended international travel restrictions related to Pakistan for an additional three months due to ongoing challenges in controlling the spread of poliovirus within the country. The decision was announced following the 41st meeting of the WHO Emergency Committee, held remotely on March 6, 2025, which included participation from representatives of polio-affected nations.
During the meeting, WHO officials reviewed the global polio situation, paying close attention to Pakistan. While acknowledging the efforts undertaken by the Pakistani government to combat the virus, the committee identified both Pakistan and Afghanistan as significant remaining obstacles to the goal of global polio eradication, noting they are the primary sources of international poliovirus spread.
Despite progress in Pakistan’s anti-polio campaigns, the committee highlighted areas needing improvement, particularly at the provincial and district levels. A major point of concern is the dramatic rise in polio-positive environmental samples detected across Pakistan. Data indicates a 12-fold increase from 2023 to 2024, reaching a total of 628 positive samples by early 2025, affecting previously unaffected districts.
The persistence of the YB3A4A B-cluster poliovirus is particularly troubling in provinces like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Balochistan. Major urban centers including Karachi, Peshawar, and Quetta have been identified as hotspots for Wild Poliovirus type 1 (WPV1).
The WHO emphasized the continued concentration of the virus in Pakistan and Afghanistan and noted ongoing cross-border transmission, specifically between southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Quetta block in Balochistan, often linked to population movements. This situation has led to calls for enhanced immunization efforts at Afghan-Pakistan border crossings and strengthened cooperation between the two countries.
Concerns remain high as transmission is expected to increase during the peak seasons. In 2025 alone, Pakistan has reported six human polio cases, including one confirmed case in Thatta, Sindh province. This follows 74 reported cases in the previous year (2024), underscoring the critical need for sustained and effective intervention strategies. The WHO stressed the importance of targeting vulnerable areas with robust vaccination campaigns.
Disclaimer: This news article has been generated based solely on the information provided. It reflects the details present in the source text concerning the WHO’s decision and the polio situation in Pakistan as reported up to early 2025.
