Pakistan’s First Polio Case of 2025 Confirmed in DI Khan

Pakistan’s National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) has confirmed the first case of poliovirus in 2025 from the district of Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

This marks the continuation of a troubling trend, with 11 cases reported from DI Khan alone in 2024 and a total of 73 cases across the country last year.

Vaccination Campaign Scheduled for February

To combat the rising number of polio cases, the first nationwide vaccination campaign of 2025 is set to commence on February 3.

The NEOC announced that polio teams will focus on regions heavily affected by the disease, including DI Khan, to curb the spread of the virus.

Polio Cases by Region in 2024

In 2024, Balochistan was the worst-hit province, with 27 confirmed cases.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh each reported 22 cases, while Islamabad and Punjab registered one case each.

These statistics highlight the persistent challenges in eradicating the virus from Pakistan.

Ongoing Efforts to Eradicate Polio

The Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme, in collaboration with the Expanded Program on Immunisation (EPI), continues to lead nationwide efforts to eradicate the disease.

The EPI provides free immunisation services against 12 childhood diseases, including polio, at health facilities throughout the country.

Call to Action for Parents

Health authorities are urging parents to ensure that children under the age of five receive the polio vaccine during the upcoming campaign.

Vaccination is crucial as polio remains a paralysing disease with no cure. Routine immunisation provides high immunity and is the best defense against this life-altering illness.

Pakistan’s Polio Challenge

Pakistan is one of only two countries in the world, along with Afghanistan, where polio remains endemic.

Despite significant progress in reducing the number of cases in recent years, the recent resurgence underscores the need for sustained and intensified efforts to eliminate the virus entirely.