
Pakistan reports third polio case of 2025 in Sindh
Pakistan has confirmed its third case of wild polio virus Type 1 in 2025, with the latest case reported from the Larkana district in Sindh province.
This marks the second polio case in Sindh this year, bringing the total number of cases in the province to two, while Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has reported one case, Express News reported.
According to the Polio Eradication Programme, 74 polio cases were reported across the country in 2024, with the highest number from Balochistan (27 cases), followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (22 cases), Sindh (23 cases), and one each from Punjab and Islamabad.
The first nationwide polio campaign of 2025, held from February 3 to 9, successfully reached 99% of its targets, vaccinating over 45 million children against the virus.
Currently, Pakistan is in the midst of its second round of catch-up activities, focusing on administering EPI antigens to children under the age of five.
In line with the Pakistan Polio Programme, a fractional IPV-OPV polio campaign is being launched in the Quetta Division and Karachi on February 20 and 22, aiming to vaccinate approximately 1 million children.
Despite these ongoing efforts, the country continues to face challenges in eliminating the virus, with cases emerging in different regions, underlining the need for continued vigilance and vaccination drives

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Express Tribune
9 hours ago
- Express Tribune
NIH confirms three polio cases in K-P, Sindh
Listen to article Pakistan has reported three new polio cases, raising the total number of confirmed cases in 2025 to 17, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad. The latest cases were confirmed by the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at NIH on Sunday. Two of the cases were reported from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P)— in the districts of Lakki Marwat and North Waziristan — while the third was from Umerkot district in Sindh. The affected children include a 15-month-old girl from Union Council Takhtikhel in Lakki Marwat, a six-month-old girl from Union Council Mir Ali-3 in North Waziristan, and a five-year-old boy (60 months old) from Union Council Chajro in Umerkot, Sindh. With these additions, the provincial breakdown of polio cases this year stands at 10 in K-P, five in Sindh, and one each in Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan. Polio is a highly contagious, incurable disease that can cause lifelong paralysis. Health officials warn that the only effective protection is through repeated doses of the oral polio vaccine (OPV) for every child under five, alongside the timely completion of essential immunisations. 'Every unvaccinated child is at risk and can also pose a risk to others. Poliovirus can resurface wherever immunity gaps exist,' an official said, stressing the importance of vaccination coverage. A special anti-polio campaign is currently under way from July 21 to 27 in border Union Councils, aligned with Afghanistan's sub-national polio campaign. A fractional IPV-OPV campaign also launched in District Chaman on July 21 and is scheduled to expand to six additional districts of Balochistan from July 28. Health authorities have reiterated that polio eradication is a collective responsibility. 'While frontline polio workers continue to deliver life-saving vaccines, it is equally important for all parents and caregivers to ensure that their children receive every dose,' the official added. Communities are urged to support vaccination drives, counter misinformation, and encourage full immunisation to prevent the resurgence of the virus.


Express Tribune
01-07-2025
- Express Tribune
N Waziristan case takes tally to 14
The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, has confirmed a polio case from North Waziristan district, South Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. A 19-month-old boy from Union Council Miranshah-3 has been identified as the eighth polio case from K-P this year. With this latest detection, the total number of polio cases reported in Pakistan in 2025 has risen to 14 - including eight from K-P, four from Sindh, and one each from Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan. Polio is a highly infectious and incurable disease that can cause lifelong paralysis. The only effective protection is through repeated doses of the oral polio vaccine (OPV) for every child under five during each campaign, along with timely completion of all essential immunizations. While nationwide efforts to eradicate polio continue to improve the quality of vaccination campaigns, the southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remain a major concern due to limited access and challenges in conducting house-to-house vaccination. These obstacles result in missed opportunities, leaving thousands of children unvaccinated and vulnerable to poliovirus. A special vaccination activity was conducted in six union councils of Bannu from June 23 to 28, during which 17,485 children received the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV). A similar targeted vaccination drive is being planned in 11 union councils of North Waziristan. Additionally, preparations are underway for a large-scale special vaccination campaign in South K-P, scheduled for August. Recent polio cases in South K-P are a stark reminder that children missed during vaccination campaigns remain at serious risk. While the programme is making every effort to reach every child, the role of parents is critical.


Business Recorder
20-06-2025
- Business Recorder
Minister pledges to achieve polio-free future of Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal has said that polio eradication is the top priority of the government and federal health ministry along with provincial health departments are fully committed to achieving a polio-free future for children of the country. He made these remarks while virtually attending the joint session of the Gavi Board and the Polio Oversight Board (POB), where he represented the government of Pakistan and shared key updates on national progress in the fight against polio. He highlighted that the prime minister of Pakistan is personally overseeing the polio eradication efforts and chairs monthly stocktake meetings to review progress. Sharing the latest progress, the minister stated, 'Pakistan has witnessed over a 99 percent decline in polio cases a testament to our coordinated strategy, dedication of frontline workers, and the collective efforts of all stakeholders.' He emphasised the implementation of a joint strategy to reach zero-dose children, with mobile biker teams mobilized to access nomadic and hard-to-reach populations. Underscoring the importance of global partnerships, the minister added, 'Strengthening the integrated immunization system requires continued support from both Gavi and the Polio Oversight Board. We need additional investments to ensure the training and retention of vaccinators.' He noted that enhanced synergy between the polio and EPI (Expanded Programme on Immunization) initiatives is improving immunisation coverage, while coordinated microplanning and effective monitoring are delivering tangible results in the field. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025