Pakistan has recorded its first polio case of 2025, with a 13-month-old girl from the Tank district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) testing positive for Wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1). The girl, who showed symptoms on November 25, is now among the country’s continuing cases of this devastating virus.
In 2024, Pakistan saw 68 polio cases, with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa contributing 21 of those. Balochistan reported the highest number at 27 cases, while Sindh recorded 19. Punjab and Islamabad each had one case, underscoring the nationwide challenge to eradicate polio.
Also Read: Pakistan Reports New Polio Case, Total Reaches 69
Polio, a virus that causes irreversible paralysis and, in severe cases, death, has no cure. However, it can be effectively prevented through multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine. Ensuring that all children under the age of five receive these vaccines is crucial to building immunity and halting the spread of the disease.
In response to the ongoing threat of WPV1, the Pakistan Polio Program has ramped up mass vaccination campaigns, aiming to reach every child at their doorstep. The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) also offers free vaccinations against 12 childhood diseases at health facilities across the country to protect children from polio and other preventable illnesses.
Despite these efforts, 2024 proved to be a difficult year for polio eradication, particularly in Sindh’s urban centers. The virus persisted in the sewerage system and paralyzed two children, raising concerns about the effectiveness of ongoing vaccination drives. Reports indicate that local officials failed to take decisive action, offering only reassurances that masked the true scope of the problem.
