Pakistan Confirms 13th Polio Case for 2025, Highlighting Challenges in Vaccination Campaigns

Strategic Insights -

Pakistan has confirmed its 13th case of polio for the year 2025, with the latest case involving an 18-month-old girl from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region. The country's polio emergency operation centre acknowledges the challenges in reaching some of the more difficult-to-access areas in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, hampering house-to-house vaccination campaigns. Despite efforts, polio virus has been detected in sewage samples from various regions across Pakistan, including Quetta, Larkana, Rawalpindi, and South Waziristan. The Pakistani government remains committed to eradicating polio, but challenges persist, particularly in conflict-prone and underserved areas where vaccine access remains limited.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pakistan has confirmed its 13th case of polio for the year 2025, with the latest case involving an 18-month-old girl from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Union Council Amakhel in Tank district.
  • The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institutes of Health in Islamabad confirmed the virus during the week, bringing the total to seven cases in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, followed by four cases in Sindh and one case each in Punjab and GilgitBaltistan.
  • The Pakistan Polio Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) acknowledged the challenges faced in reaching some of the more difficult-to-access areas in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, leading to hurdles in house-to-house vaccination campaigns.
  • Since January 2025, Pakistan has undertaken three nationwide immunisation campaigns targeting over 45 million children, supported by more than 400,000 frontline health workers, including 225,000 female vaccinators.
  • Despite efforts, polio virus has been detected in sewage samples collected from various regions across Pakistan, including Quetta, Larkana, Rawalpindi, and South Waziristan.
  • The Pakistani government, alongside international partners, remains committed to eradicating polio, with a focus on ensuring all children under five receive the necessary vaccinations.
  • Challenges persist, particularly in conflict-prone and underserved areas where vaccine access remains limited.
  • The Pakistan Polio Emergency Operation Centre continues to address these challenges through coordinated efforts with international partners.

Statistics:

  • 13th case of polio confirmed in Pakistan for the year 2025.
  • 45 million children targeted in nationwide immunisation campaigns since January 2025.
  • 400,000 frontline health workers, including 225,000 female vaccinators, supported vaccination efforts.
  • 7 cases reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 4 cases in Sindh, and 1 case each in Punjab and GilgitBaltistan.
  • Polio virus detected in sewage samples from Quetta, Larkana, Rawalpindi, and South Waziristan.

Sources:

  • "Pakistan confirms 13th polio case for 2025" - [1]
  • "Pakistan Polio Emergency Operation Centre" - [2]
  • "Pakistan National Institutes of Health" - [3]