Pakistan Confirms 13th Polio Case in 2025: Surge in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sparks National Concern
Image via IANS
New case detected in Tank district as virus continues to surface in environmental samples across Pakistan
Islamabad, June 27 | Thetrendingpeople - In a worrying development for public health, Pakistan has recorded its 13th case of wild poliovirus (WPV1) this year, after the virus was confirmed in an 18-month-old girl from Union Council Amakhel in District Tank, South Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The confirmation came from the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad on Friday.
This marks the seventh case reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in 2025, underlining the continued vulnerability of the region despite extensive immunisation efforts.
Rising Cases Across Provinces
So far this year, Pakistan’s polio count stands as follows:
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – 7 cases
- Sindh – 4 cases
- Punjab – 1 case
- Gilgit-Baltistan – 1 case
Earlier this week, a 33-month-old boy from KP’s Bannu district also tested positive for polio, signaling the virus’s persistent presence in the northwestern province.
Health authorities have termed this rise in cases in KP “alarming,” considering the province has witnessed frequent militant resistance to vaccination campaigns and attacks on frontline health workers.
Environmental Surveillance Reveals Broader Spread
In a recent NIH report, wild poliovirus was detected in sewage samples from seven districts, collected between May 8 and May 23 under the ongoing environmental surveillance programme. The virus was found in the following regions:
- Gwadar and Quetta (Balochistan)
- Rawalpindi (Punjab)
- South Waziristan Upper and Lower (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
- Larkana and Mirpur Khas (Sindh)
Notably, samples from Lahore (Punjab) and Pishin (Balochistan) tested negative, providing some relief but not enough to offset the larger trend.
The detection of the virus in such geographically diverse areas indicates community-level circulation, particularly in districts previously thought to be polio-free.
Massive Immunisation Efforts Underway
In response to the rising threat, the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme has already conducted three nationwide immunisation campaigns in 2025, reaching over 45 million children under the age of five. These efforts were supported by more than 400,000 trained frontline workers.
“Every child must receive polio drops in every campaign. Repeated doses are the only safe and effective protection against the virus,” said a senior official from the Ministry of Health.
Despite the scale of these campaigns, the virus continues to spread—primarily due to vaccine refusal in certain communities, misinformation, and operational challenges in remote or conflict-prone areas.
Violence Against Polio Workers Continues
A major barrier to eradication remains the targeted violence against health workers involved in polio vaccination. In April 2025, two health workers were abducted by unidentified gunmen in Kulachi, Dera Ismail Khan in KP while returning from official duties related to the anti-polio campaign.
This is not an isolated incident. Polio teams, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, have faced frequent attacks by militants who falsely believe that the campaign is part of a foreign conspiracy or aim to disrupt state functions.
Such attacks not only put lives at risk but also hamper vaccination drives, forcing authorities to suspend campaigns in high-risk zones—allowing the virus to circulate freely.
Why Polio Still Exists in Pakistan
Pakistan, along with Afghanistan, remains one of the only two countries in the world where wild poliovirus is still endemic. The continued existence of the disease in both nations is due to several interlinked factors:
- Mistrust of vaccination campaigns among certain rural and tribal communities
- Geographical challenges in reaching remote areas
- Lack of education and awareness about the disease
- Militant opposition to government-run health programs
- Poor sanitation and water quality, which facilitate virus transmission
Public health experts warn that any interruption in campaigns could lead to a resurgence of the virus, not just in Pakistan but globally.
Expert Voices and International Concern
Global health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, have repeatedly warned that failure to eliminate polio from Pakistan could endanger global eradication goals.
“Pakistan is at a critical juncture. The polio eradication effort is in its final stretch, but the virus will exploit every opportunity if immunisation coverage drops or campaigns are disrupted,” said a WHO representative in Islamabad.
The WHO has continued to classify Pakistan as a “polio-endemic” country, with international travel advisories still recommending proof of vaccination for outbound travellers.
What Parents and Citizens Must Know
Health officials are urging all parents and caregivers to:
- Ensure their children under five receive polio drops in every national and sub-national campaign
- Report any missed vaccinations to local health authorities
- Avoid misinformation and follow guidance from verified health sources
- Cooperate with frontline workers during door-to-door campaigns
Repeated polio vaccinations are completely safe and necessary to build immunity against WPV1, which can cause irreversible paralysis or even death.
The Way Forward
Pakistan’s fight against polio is at a crossroads. While scientific, logistical, and international support continues to be robust, the country’s sociopolitical challenges threaten to undo decades of progress. With 13 cases already confirmed in 2025 and widespread environmental presence, health officials are on high alert to prevent further transmission.
The next phase of immunisation efforts is expected to begin in early July. Authorities are now working on enhancing security for polio teams, intensifying awareness campaigns, and strengthening surveillance in areas where the virus has recently been detected.
TheTrendingPeople.com will continue to bring verified updates on Pakistan's polio situation, public health campaigns, and related developments. Stay tuned for more information on upcoming immunisation schedules and official responses.
If you are a parent or caregiver in a high-risk region, consult your local health department or visit endpolio.com.pk for real-time campaign updates and resources.