Pakistan health authorities have confirmed a new case of wild poliovirus in the diameer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, which marked the first occurrence of the virus reported from the region.
The case, verified by the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio -Exposure at the National Institute of Health (NIH), is the eleventh -confirmed case of wild poliovirus in the country so far by 2025.
Afghanistan and Pakistan remain the only two countries in the world where polio is still endemic.
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The announcement came shortly after the end of Pakistan’s third nationwide polio vaccination campaign of the year, which began on May 26 and ended on Sunday.
The campaign reached over 45 million children under five years in 159 districts, including many considered high risk for the virus.
Polio is a very infectious viral disease without cure. It can cause irreversible paralysis, especially in young children. Health experts emphasize that repeated doses of the oral polio vaccine are the only effective way to protect children from the disease.
Health officials have renewed calls for parents and carers to ensure that their children do not miss immunization options. Every dose that is administered, they say, helps build stronger immunity and protect children from the lifelong consequences of polio.
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The virus remains a threat in Pakistan, which recorded 74 cases alone in 2024.
“This case is a sharp reminder that polio remains a threat,” said an official from Pakistan’s polio -depletion program. “No child should be left behind.”
Authorities still depend on community commitment to ensure full coverage and prevent any resurgence of the virus.
Last week, a police constable martyrated and another officer was injured when unidentified attacks opened fire against a polio vaccination team in Nushki, Balochistan, Tuesday. The team performed routine immunization work when the attack took place.
Pakistan polio teams have often been targeted at deadly attacks, especially in remote or conflict -affected areas.
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President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the incident and confirm the government’s obligation to protect health workers and continue the fight against polio.
