Third Polio Case of the Year Reported in Sindh’s Larkana
Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho inaugurated the campaign, emphasizing the importance of immunization efforts.
Pakistan has reported another case of poliovirus in Sindh’s Larkana district, bringing the total number of polio cases in the country to three for the year, according to the National Emergency Operation Centre (EOC).
A four-and-a-half-year-old girl from Larkana tested positive for the crippling disease, marking the second case in Sindh this year.
In response to the increasing cases, the Sindh government has initiated a special anti-polio campaign, as announced by the Sindh EOC.
The first phase of the campaign commenced today in 27 high-risk union councils of Karachi.
Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho inaugurated the campaign, emphasizing the importance of immunization efforts.
“The risk of poliovirus spread remains high due to factors such as population density, migration, and movement,” stated the EOC.
As part of the campaign, the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) will be administered to approximately 562,000 children under the age of five.
Additionally, the Fractional Inactivated Polio Vaccine (FIPV) will be provided to 521,000 children aged between four months and five years.
In 2025, health authorities have reported only three polio cases so far, whereas the country recorded a total of 74 cases the previous year.
These included 27 cases in Balochistan, 22 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 23 in Sindh, and one case each in Punjab and Islamabad.
Pakistan Polio Programme and Environmental Sampling
Authorities have confirmed the presence of poliovirus in environmental samples collected from eight districts nationwide.
The Regional Reference Laboratory of the National Institute of Health detected poliovirus in sewage samples taken between January 15 and 24.
Environmental samples from Kech, Sibi, Barkhan, Quetta, and Gwadar in Balochistan, as well as Bannu, DI Khan, and South Waziristan in KP, tested positive for the virus.
Health officials are urging parents to ensure their children receive polio drops to prevent the spread of this debilitating disease.