Pakistan Confirms Second Polio Case of 2025, Health Officials Intensify Vaccination Efforts

Islamabad: The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health has confirmed the second wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) case of 2025. This case was detected in District Badin, Sindh, following the first reported case in DI Khan district in South Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to a statement by Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme, last year saw 74 cases, with Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh reporting the majority. The data underscores the ongoing challenge the country faces in eradicating polio, a disease that continues to threaten children under five years of age.

Polio, a disease without a cure, demands rigorous vaccination efforts. The Pakistan Polio Program is actively involved in carrying out multiple mass vaccination drives annually, targeting children at their homes. The Expanded Program on Immunization also plays a pivotal role by offering free vaccinations against 12 childhood diseases at health facilities.

The first nationwide polio campaign of 2025 concluded recently, achieving 99% of its targets. Conducted from February 3 to 9, over 45 million children received the polio vaccine. These campaigns are critical in ensuring that children under five receive protection against the virus.

Health officials continue to urge parents to ensure their children are vaccinated, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high immunity levels to combat polio effectively.

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