Pakistan Reports Two New Polio Cases, Total Reaches Five in 2025

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Posted by NewAdmin on 2025-02-28 09:59:13 |

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Pakistan has reported two new cases of poliovirus, one each in Sindh and Punjab, bringing the total number of cases in 2025 to five. The cases were confirmed in Qambar district in Sindh and Mandi Bahauddin district in Punjab, according to the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health. This marks the third case in Sindh and the first in Punjab this year.  

Last year, Pakistan recorded 74 polio cases, with Balochistan reporting 27, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 22, Sindh 23, and one each in Punjab and Islamabad. Despite continuous efforts, the presence of poliovirus remains a challenge in the country. Polio is a highly infectious disease that causes paralysis and has no cure. The only preventive measure is multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine, which builds immunity among children under the age of five.  

Pakistan runs multiple mass vaccination drives annually through its anti-polio programme, ensuring vaccines reach children at their doorsteps. Additionally, the Expanded Programme on Immunization offers free vaccinations against 12 childhood diseases at healthcare centers. The first nationwide polio campaign of 2025 was conducted from February 3 to 9, achieving 99% of its targets and vaccinating over 45 million children.  

Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only countries where poliovirus is still present. A major obstacle to eradication in Pakistan is vaccine refusal, fueled by misinformation and extremist propaganda that falsely claims the vaccine is part of a conspiracy against Muslims. Despite these challenges, authorities continue their efforts to eliminate the disease through widespread immunization campaigns.

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