The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH) has detected a new case of wild poliovirus in District Diamer, Gilgit-Baltistan—marking the first such case in the region and the 11th nationwide in 2025.
This discovery comes as Pakistan concluded its third nationwide polio vaccination campaign on Sunday, which successfully immunized over 45 million children under five across 159 districts, including high-risk areas.
Polio, a highly infectious and incurable disease, can only be prevented through repeated oral polio vaccinations and adherence to the full immunization schedule. Health authorities are urging parents to ensure their children receive every dose, as each vaccination strengthens immunity and prevents lifelong paralysis.
“Community support is critical—no child should be left unprotected,” emphasized the Polio Programme. With the virus still active, Pakistan continues its fight for complete eradication.