Has Pakistan Recorded Its 14th Polio Case in 2025?
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Synopsis
Pakistan's fight against polio takes a concerning turn as the Health Ministry announces a new case, increasing the total count to 14 for 2025. This alarming trend highlights the ongoing challenges faced in eradicating this debilitating disease amidst persistent opposition to vaccination efforts.
Key Takeaways
- 14 polio cases reported in Pakistan for 2025.
- New case confirmed in North Waziristan.
- Special vaccination campaigns are underway.
- Polio remains endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
- Vaccination refusal and violence against health workers are significant challenges.
Islamabad, July 2 (NationPress) As Pakistan continues to confront a debilitating disease, the nation has reported a new polio case, bringing the total to 14 for the year 2025, according to the Health Ministry on Wednesday.
The latest case emerged from the northwest North Waziristan district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where health officials confirmed the presence of type 1 wild poliovirus in a 19-month-old girl.
To date, the breakdown of cases includes eight from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, four from Sindh province, and one each from Punjab province and the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region.
Health officials announced that specialized polio vaccination initiatives will soon commence in 11 union councils of North Waziristan district, as reported by Xinhua News Agency.
Just last week, the country confirmed its 13th case of wild poliovirus in 2025, following the detection in a child from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad verified the virus in stool samples taken from an 18-month-old girl in the Tank district, as stated in a ministry announcement on Friday.
This incident marked the seventh polio case recorded from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa this year.
According to a recent report by the NIH, Wild Poliovirus Type 1 (WPV1) has been detected in environmental samples collected from seven districts across Pakistan.
The samples were gathered between May 8 and May 23 as part of the country’s ongoing environmental surveillance program.
Positive WPV1 findings were reported in sewage samples from Gwadar and Quetta in southwestern Balochistan, Rawalpindi in eastern Punjab, South Waziristan Upper and South Waziristan Lower in northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as well as Larkana and Mirpur Khas in southern Sindh province.
However, samples from Lahore in Punjab and Pishin in Balochistan tested negative.
In 2024, Pakistan reported a total of 74 polio cases, according to official statistics.
Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the only two nations globally where wild poliovirus is still endemic. Polio workers have faced numerous attacks, particularly in the northwest and southwest regions of the country.
The persistence of the virus is partly attributed to widespread refusal among the populace to vaccinate their children. Health workers combating polio have been subjected to targeted violence from militant factions opposing anti-polio initiatives.
In April, two health workers involved in Pakistan's anti-polio efforts were kidnapped by unidentified assailants in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
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Point of View
It's crucial to emphasize the ongoing public health crisis in Pakistan due to polio. The rising number of cases, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, underscores the need for robust vaccination efforts. We must stand united in combating misinformation and violence against health workers to protect our children from this preventable disease.
NationPress
02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current number of polio cases in Pakistan for 2025?
Pakistan has recorded a total of 14 polio cases so far in 2025.
Which regions in Pakistan have reported polio cases?
Cases have been reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Punjab, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
What measures are being taken to combat polio in Pakistan?
Special polio vaccination campaigns are set to begin in affected areas, especially in North Waziristan.
Why is polio still a concern in Pakistan?
Polio remains a threat due to misinformation about vaccines and attacks on health workers.
How many polio cases were reported in Pakistan in 2024?
Pakistan reported 74 polio cases in 2024.
