The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, has confirmed a polio case in District Hyderabad, Sindh.   

With this detection, the total number of polio cases in Pakistan in 2025 has reached 27 – including 18 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, seven from Sindh, and one each from Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan.   

Polio is a highly infectious and incurable disease that can cause lifelong paralysis. The only effective protection is through repeated doses of the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) for every child under the age of five during each campaign, along with the timely completion of all routine immunizations. 

The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) for Polio Eradication conducted a Sub-National Polio Vaccination Campaign in September 2025 across 88 districts of the country including Hyderabad. The campaign successfully reached approximately 21 million children under the age of five.   

The next nationwide polio vaccination campaign of the year 2025 will be conducted from 13 - 19 October, targeting approximately 45.4 million children for protection against polio. More than 400,000 dedicated frontline polio workers will go door-to-door to ensure that every child is reached. 

These campaigns are designed to rapidly strengthen immunity and enhance protection as part of ongoing efforts to eradicate polio from Pakistan. Parents and caregivers are strongly urged to ensure their children are vaccinated in every campaign, as vaccination remains the only effective protection against lifelong disability. 

Polio eradication is a collective responsibility. While dedicated frontline polio workers deliver vaccines, parents and caregivers must ensure their children receive all recommended doses, including routine immunizations. Communities, teachers, religious leaders, and especially the media play a vital role by supporting vaccination efforts, countering misinformation, and encouraging others to vaccinate so that every child is protected.   

Together, we can ensure a polio-free future for every child in Pakistan. 

For more information, contact the Sehat Tahaffuz Helpline at 1166 or the Polio Helpline via WhatsApp at 0346-7776546.