ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has confirmed its 13th case of polio in 2025, raising renewed concerns about the nation’s struggle to eliminate the crippling disease.
The latest case involves an 18-month-old girl from Union Council Amakhel in the Tank district of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
This marks the seventh confirmed case in the province so far this year, underscoring the persistent threat the virus poses in high-risk areas.
Health officials from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) verified the infection after lab testing.
KP Remains Polio Hotspot
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continues to report the highest number of cases in the country.
Earlier this month, a 33-month-old boy in Bannu also tested positive, adding to the province’s polio burden.
Elsewhere, four cases have emerged in Sindh, and one each in Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Despite extensive vaccination campaigns, southern KP faces ongoing challenges such as remote access, community resistance, and logistical difficulties.
These factors contribute to missed vaccinations and sustained virus transmission.
Environmental Surveillance and National Response
The Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme recently detected poliovirus in sewage samples from seven districts, including Quetta, Gwadar, South Waziristan (Upper and Lower), Larkana, Rawalpindi, and Mirpurkhas.
In contrast, samples from Lahore and Pishin tested negative, offering a glimpse of hope in certain areas.
Between May 8 and 23, nine environmental samples were collected across various locations to support virus surveillance.
Over 45 million children have been vaccinated through three national campaigns conducted in February, April, and May.
These efforts were powered by over 400,000 frontline workers, including 225,000 women, with support from security forces.
Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal praised the dedication of these workers and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to total polio eradication.
He emphasized that national efforts will persist until the virus is fully eliminated from the country.
Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the only two nations where polio is still endemic.
In 2024, Pakistan reported 74 cases: 27 in Balochistan, 23 in Sindh, 22 in KP, and one each in Punjab and Islamabad.
