New Polio Case in Pakistan Increases 2025 Tally to 24

Pakistan has reported a new case of polio in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, bringing the total number of cases in 2025 to 24. The case, involving a 20-month-old girl from Union Council Ping A in the district of Tank, highlights ongoing challenges in controlling the spread of the virus in the region.

The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad confirmed the new case on March 5, 2025. This latest report indicates that 16 of the 24 cases in Pakistan this year have emerged from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with six cases from Sindh and one each from Punjab and Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan. Notably, the affected girl has no travel history, suggesting that the poliovirus continues to circulate locally in areas with limited vaccination coverage.

The girl belongs to the Bettani tribe and resides in Jandola tehsil, an area identified as one of the most security-compromised regions in Pakistan. Health officials have expressed concerns about the difficulties faced in accessing children for immunization in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, especially in regions like Tank and North and South Waziristan. An official from the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) described the situation as “alarming but not unexpected,” emphasizing that security challenges remain the biggest obstacle in interrupting polio transmission.

“Security-compromised districts remain the biggest hurdle in interrupting polio transmission. These pockets allow the virus to survive and spread, putting the rest of the country at risk,” the official stated.

In response to the rising number of cases, an anti-polio vaccination campaign commenced on March 5, aiming to immunize over 28 million children under the age of five across 99 districts. The National Polio Eradication Programme has mobilized more than 240,000 polio workers to participate in the campaign, which also covers various other regions of Pakistan.

Despite significant efforts, the challenges remain stark. Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries worldwide where the Wild Poliovirus remains endemic. In recent years, polio workers have been frequently targeted in violent attacks, particularly in the northwest and southwest regions of Pakistan.

Polio is a highly infectious viral disease primarily affecting children under five. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), while there is no cure for polio, vaccination can effectively prevent the disease. The polio vaccine, administered multiple times, can safeguard a child for life, making the ongoing vaccination efforts crucial in combating this public health challenge.