Sindh reports Pakistan's sixth polio case of 2025

KARACHI: Pakistan reported its sixth polio case of the year on Saturday, confirmed by the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme (PPEP), from Thatta district in Sindh.

The National Institute of Health's (NIH) Regional Reference Laboratory has verified the case, marking the fourth polio case from Sindh this year. Earlier, one case was reported from Punjab and another from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In total, 74 polio cases emerged across the country in 2024, with Balochistan accounting for 27, Sindh for 23, KP for 22, and one each from Punjab and Islamabad.

Pakistan remains one of only two polio-endemic countries globally, alongside Afghanistan. While the country saw a significant decline in polio cases in recent years, the recent uptick in cases raises concern.

Polio is a paralysing disease with no cure, and the completion of the routine vaccination for all children under the age of five provides them high immunity against this terrible disease.

The first nationwide polio campaign of 2025 reached over 45 million children earlier this month, a statement from the Pakistan Polio Programme said.

It added that a fIPV-OPV campaign in Quetta Division and Karachi was held between 20 and 28 February, vaccinating around 0.9 million children with the injectable and oral polio vaccines for an added immunity boost.

Moreover, a targeted vaccination activity in 104 union councils bordering Afghanistan or having Afghan refugee camps was also held this week to reduce the risk of cross-border and internal poliovirus transmission, vaccinating over 0.6 million children.

The Polio Programme urged all parents to get their children vaccinated against polio at every opportunity to keep them protected from this devastating disease.