Pakistan reports first polio case of 2025 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Peshawar, January 8, 2025: Pakistan has reported its first polio case of the year 2025, with a 13-month-old girl from the Tank district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa confirmed to be affected by the virus. According to sources at the National Reference Lab, the girl, who had shown symptoms of polio since November 25, 2024, has been diagnosed with Wild Poliovirus Type 1.

The confirmation of this case comes as a setback in Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to eradicate polio, a disease that continues to pose a public health challenge despite significant efforts and vaccination campaigns over the years.

In 2024, Pakistan reported a total of 68 polio cases across the country, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recording the highest number of cases—21 in total. Other regions that saw a rise in polio cases included Balochistan with 27 cases, Sindh with 19, and Punjab and Islamabad each reporting one case.

Health officials have expressed concerns over the resurgence of polio cases, particularly in areas where vaccination campaigns have faced challenges. The confirmation of this new case highlights the need for continued vigilance and efforts to ensure that all children are immunised against the disease.

The government, in collaboration with international organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), has been ramping up its efforts to combat polio, but the virus remains a threat in certain regions of the country.