Pakistan reports new Polio Case in 2025

Polio Case Reported in Diamer, Gilgit-Baltistan After Nearly Eight Years, citing the National Institute of Health (NIH).

Pakistan has confirmed a new case of polio in the Diamer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, marking the first reported infection in the region since 2017. The affected child, a 23-month-old from the Gabar area of Tangir, tested positive for the poliovirus earlier this year.

Health officials at the National Institute of Health (NIH) announced that the genetic analysis of the virus sample classifies it within the YB3A4 poliovirus cluster. Notably, this strain has connections to Karachi, even though the infected child has no reported travel history.

This case has raised concerns due to the low immunisation coverage in Diamer, which is considered one of the high-risk districts for polio transmission in Gilgit-Baltistan. Authorities emphasise the urgent need to strengthen vaccination campaigns and improve routine immunisation efforts to prevent further spread.

Read more: Two New Polio Cases Reported in Pakistan

Pakistan has confirmed two new polio cases in 2025, with both incidents reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, raising concerns over vaccination outreach and local resistance in vulnerable areas.

Health authorities revealed that the most recent cases originated from the Bannu and Lakki Marwat districts. In Lakki Marwat, a 26-month-old girl was confirmed to have the poliovirus. She lives in Union Council Bakhmal Ahmad Zai, situated in Sarai Naurang tehsil. Officials reported that the child started showing symptoms of paralysis on April 22.

The second case involves a 40-month-old boy from Union Council Sain Tanga, part of the Wazir sub-division in Bannu district. He reportedly showed symptoms consistent with polio starting May 1.

Sources familiar with the matter stated that no comprehensive polio vaccination campaign has been conducted in UC Sain Tanga since October 2023, highlighting a gap in immunisation efforts. Officials cite local resistance and mistrust as major challenges, with many families refusing to allow health workers to administer polio drops to their children.