“Polio Returns to Southern KP: Two More Young Girls Paralyzed, Pakistan’s 2025 Tally Climbs to 23”
The New Cases: A Grim Reminder
The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at NIH Islamabad has confirmed two additional cases of wild poliovirus (WPV1) from southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). A 16-month-old girl from Mullazai, District Tank, and a 24-month-old girl from Miran Shah-3, District North Waziristan, are the latest victims. These bring Pakistan’s total for 2025 to 23 confirmed cases—with 15 in KP, 6 in Sindh, and 1 each in Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan.(Geo News, Dunya News)
Polio, highly infectious and incurable, can leave survivors paralyzed for life. The only defence remains repeated doses of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) for children under five and a strong routine immunization schedule.(Geo News, The Express Tribune, Dawn)
A Struggle in the Shadows: Why These Regions Still Suffer
Despite progress, southern KP remains a hotspot. Hard-to-reach terrain, entrenched vaccine hesitancy, and scattered security challenges impede vaccination drives. Health authorities admit these regions remain deeply vulnerable due to low vaccine acceptance and limited access.(Geo News, Wikipedia)
Environmental surveillance underscores a wider threat: WPV1 has been detected in sewage samples across 20 districts, including the capital, increasing the risk of silent spread. Rising vaccine refusals, particularly in Sindh urban centers, amplify this risk.(The Times of India, Wikipedia)
Fighting Back: Campaigns & Operations to Curb Spread
In response, the National and Provincial Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs) have ramped up vaccination campaigns and high-alert strategies.(Geo News, The Express Tribune, Dunya News)
A sub-national immunization drive will run from September 1–7; in southern KP, it begins September 15. Over 28 million children under five are expected to receive door-to-door OPV drops.(Geo News, The Times of India, Wikipedia)
The Bigger Picture: Polio—A National and Global Challenge
According to global data, by August 20, 2025, there were 23 reported WPV1 cases worldwide, with 21 in Pakistan and 2 in Afghanistan. Pakistan also logged 390 WPV1-positive environmental samples—a staggering indicator of continued viral presence.(Wikipedia)
The WHO’s Emergency Committee, reporting on July 28, noted Pakistan’s annual WPV1 case count is climbing—and more worrying, the virus is being found in more provinces, including areas previously thought polio-free, like Gilgit-Baltistan.(World Health Organization)
Pakistan remains one of the only two countries where polio is still endemic—the other being Afghanistan.(Arab News, Wikipedia)
Buzz Pakistan Snapshot
| Key Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Latest Toll | 23 confirmed cases in 2025—15 in KP, 6 in Sindh, 1 each in Punjab & Gilgit-Baltistan |
| New Cases | 16-month-old in Tank; 24-month-old in North Waziristan |
| High-Risk Zones | Southern KP remains vulnerable; sewage surveillance shows wider circulation |
| Intervention Plans | Nationwide campaign Sept 1–7; southern KP starts Sept 15; targets 28M children |
| Global Context | Pakistan accounts for majority of WPV1 cases; environmental detections rising |
| Ongoing Obstacles | Vaccine refusals; misinformation; access challenges; security risks |
Final Word
These two new cases are not just statistics—they’re chilling proof that polio has not relented. The virus continues to lurk where infrastructure is weak and misinformation spreads. But with a robust campaign gearing up for September and mounting international pressure, there’s still hope that Pakistan can turn the tide.
