The National Institute of Health (NIH) has confirmed Pakistan’s eighth polio case of 2025, with the latest detection coming from Bannu, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, The Express Tribune reported. This is the third polio case from the province this year, raising concerns just as the country’s second nationwide anti-polio vaccination campaign is underway.
Nationwide Campaign Targets 45.4 Million Children
Health authorities are racing against time to protect children, with the current campaign aiming to vaccinate over 45.4 million children under the age of five. This includes 2.6 million children in Balochistan alone.
The campaign, which began earlier this week, is scheduled to run until April 27, with a follow-up round planned from May 26 to June 1.
PM Shehbaz Sharif Applauds Anti-Polio Efforts
Earlier in April, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded the country’s anti-polio progress during a high-level meeting, noting that no new cases had been reported since February 10. He credited this achievement to the commitment of health officials and international support.
Despite these efforts, the new case serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat polio poses in the region.
Why Polio Still Matters
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), polio is a highly contagious viral disease primarily affecting children under five. It spreads through the faecal-oral route and can lead to irreversible paralysis. While there’s no cure, it can be prevented through repeated doses of the oral polio vaccine.
“Polio remains endemic in only two countries — Pakistan and Afghanistan,” reports The Express Tribune.
