ISLAMABAD — The fight against polio in Pakistan has taken a worrying turn as two more cases were confirmed in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), raising the nationwide tally for 2025 to 23 cases. Health authorities fear that the virus is regaining momentum in high-risk areas, despite ongoing eradication efforts.
New Cases Confirmed in KP
Health officials confirmed that the new cases were reported in Tank District and North Waziristan:
- In Tank, a 16-month-old girl from Union Council Mullazai tested positive for the virus.
- In North Waziristan, a two-year-old girl from Union Council Miran Shah-3 was diagnosed.
These fresh cases push KP’s total to 15 infections this year, followed by Sindh with 6 cases, and Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan reporting one case each.
Endemic Virus Persists
Polio, once nearly eradicated worldwide, remains endemic only in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Experts say the virus continues to thrive in parts of southern KP, including Tank, Bannu, and North Waziristan, due to a combination of geographical barriers, security challenges, and vaccine hesitancy in local communities.
Health specialists warn that the presence of the virus in these areas poses a significant risk of spreading to other provinces if vaccination gaps persist.
Vaccination Campaigns Accelerated
To counter the alarming rise, the government has announced:
- A nationwide immunization drive from September 1 to September 7, targeting over 28 million children under the age of five.
- A focused vaccination drive in southern KP from September 15, aimed at reaching high-risk populations.
Officials from the National and Provincial Emergency Operations Centres emphasized the need for collective action, urging parents to ensure their children receive all recommended doses during every campaign.
Challenges in Eradication
Despite significant progress over the years, several hurdles remain:
- Misinformation campaigns that fuel vaccine refusals.
- Inaccessible remote areas, making it difficult for health teams to reach vulnerable children.
- Security risks that limit the mobility of vaccination workers in certain districts.
Health experts stress that without tackling these challenges, Pakistan risks prolonging the fight against the crippling disease.
A Call for Urgent Action
The detection of wild polio virus in environmental samples across several districts highlights the persistent threat. Global health partners, including WHO and UNICEF, continue to support Pakistan in its eradication mission, but officials warn that success depends on the collective will of communities and authorities alike.
“Every missed child is a risk,” said a senior health official. “Until every child is vaccinated, Pakistan cannot declare itself polio-free.”
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.