Pakistan Battles Rising Polio Cases Amidst Persistent Challenges

Pakistan has registered 21 new cases of poliovirus, with the latest infections reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh, according to information from the National Institute of Health. The country remains one of the two places globally, along with Afghanistan, where polio is still endemic. Global eradication drives are hampered by challenges such as security concerns, vaccine hesitancy, and misinformation, as reported by Dawn.

The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at Islamabad's NIH identified the latest cases as involving a six-year-old girl from Union Council Pattan in Kohistan, KP, and a 21-month-old girl from UC Matli-2 in Badin, Sindh. The total number of cases for 2025 has now reached 21, comprising 13 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, six from Sindh, and one each from Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan, according to a statement.

Dawn highlighted that polio is a highly infectious and irreversible disease leading to lifelong paralysis, with oral polio vaccine (OPV) campaigns as the only effective prevention for children under five. A nationwide sub-national campaign is planned from September 1 to 7, aiming to vaccinate over 28 million children under five across 99 districts. Specifically targeting southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the campaign from September 15 seeks to ensure comprehensive immunization and close protection gaps among vulnerable populations, with an urgent call for parental participation.

Last week, poliovirus traces were found in 36 percent of sewage samples collected from 87 districts in July. In 2024, at least 71 cases were reported, with detections in nearly 90 districts, including Punjab and Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan.

(With inputs from agencies.)