In a significant development for Pakistan’s ongoing fight against polio, the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH) has confirmed a new case of wild poliovirus in District Diamer, Gilgit-Baltistan. This marks the first-ever polio case reported from Gilgit-Baltistan and the 11th confirmed case in Pakistan in 2025.
The detection of wild poliovirus in a previously polio-free region has raised alarms among health authorities and underlines the persistent threat the disease poses to the country’s vulnerable children.
Nationwide Polio Vaccination Campaign Concludes
The confirmation comes shortly after the conclusion of Pakistan’s third nationwide polio vaccination campaign of 2025, which ran from May 26 to June 2. The campaign, conducted under the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) and in coordination with global health partners, targeted over 45 million children under the age of five across 159 districts, with a focus on high-risk and previously affected areas.
According to officials, the campaign successfully met its targets, deploying thousands of trained vaccinators and health workers across urban, rural, and hard-to-reach communities. Mobile teams were dispatched to ensure vaccination at transit points, bus stands, and even remote mountainous regions like those in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Every child vaccinated is a step closer to a polio-free Pakistan,said a spokesperson from the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC).
A Stark Reminder: Polio Has No Cure
Polio, a highly infectious and disabling disease, has no cure. The virus mainly affects children under five and can lead to permanent paralysis and even death in severe cases. The only protection lies in preventive vaccination, which requires multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine (OPV) to build and sustain immunity.
Health experts are urging parents not to miss a single opportunity to vaccinate their children. Repeated doses of the vaccine are critical, especially in regions where sanitation challenges and cross-border movement increase the risk of virus circulation.
Every dose counts. Polio can only be eradicated if every child is repeatedly vaccinated,said a senior NIH official.
Community Cooperation Is Key
The Polio Eradication Programme emphasized that community support and parental awareness are essential to success. While millions of children have been vaccinated in recent drives, gaps in immunization coverage due to misinformation, refusal, or logistical hurdles remain a major challenge.
We appeal to all parents and caregivers to cooperate with vaccination teams. Let no child be missed,said the Federal Health Ministry in a statement.
In recent years, Pakistan has made major strides in reducing the number of polio cases through sustained campaigns and improved surveillance. However, the presence of wild poliovirus in environmental samples and sporadic outbreaks in new regions—such as this case in Gilgit-Baltistan—highlight the fragile nature of these gains.
Gilgit-Baltistan: A Wake-Up Call
The detection of wild poliovirus in Diamer district, a region with historically low transmission risk, signals the virus’s continued mobility and ability to surface in new areas. It also underscores the importance of vaccinating children even in areas believed to be low-risk or “polio-free.”
Authorities are now working to trace the source of the infection and have launched emergency response measures, including intensified surveillance, mop-up vaccination activities, and public awareness campaigns across Gilgit-Baltistan.
This case is a wake-up call. We must stay vigilant until the virus is completely eradicated, stressed the NIH spokesperson.
The Road Ahead: Zero Tolerance for Polio
With global attention focused on ending polio once and for all, Pakistan remains one of only two countries—along with Afghanistan—where wild poliovirus is still endemic. The government, in collaboration with international partners like WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi, has reaffirmed its commitment to a polio-free future.
While challenges such as internet disruptions, conflict zones, and vaccine hesitancy persist, health officials insist that victory is within reach—provided that no child is left unvaccinated.
Polio eradication is a collective responsibility. We urge all citizens to treat it as a national duty,said the Ministry of Health.
As Pakistan continues its uphill battle against one of the world’s most resilient viruses, the case in Gilgit-Baltistan is a stark reminder: the fight is not over, and every child must be protected, everywhere, every time.
