Islamabad, June 21: Pakistan has reported its twelfth case of wild poliovirus in 2025, raising fresh concerns about the country’s ongoing struggle to eradicate the disease, according to media reports.
The latest case involves a 33-month-old male child from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The confirmation came on Friday from the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH), as reported by Dawn newspaper.
This new case emerges despite the completion of three countrywide anti-polio vaccination campaigns this year. Health officials fear this indicates persistent challenges in reaching all vulnerable populations, especially in remote and conflict-affected areas.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province with a history of polio transmission, has once again come under the spotlight. Experts attribute recurring cases to vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and difficulties in accessing certain communities due to security concerns.
Pakistan is one of only two countries in the world where wild poliovirus remains endemic, the other being Afghanistan. Despite consistent efforts by the government, health agencies, and international partners, occasional flare-ups continue to hamper eradication goals.
Officials at the NIH have emphasized the urgent need for enhanced surveillance, targeted immunization drives, and better coordination among federal and provincial agencies.
“The detection of another case is a stark reminder that the fight against polio is far from over,” a health official said, urging parents to ensure their children receive all recommended doses of the polio vaccine.
The government plans to intensify efforts in high-risk zones, with additional door-to-door campaigns and public awareness drives scheduled in the coming weeks.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF continue to support Pakistan’s polio eradication initiatives with funding, technical assistance, and manpower.
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