In a severe setback to Pakistan’s anti-polio efforts, health officials confirmed the first polio case in seven years in the Diamer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, which was previously considered polio-free. The virus was discovered in a young child, prompting an immediate response from national health authorities and international health partners.
The discovery has prompted emergency immunisation efforts and significant contact tracing throughout the region, as authorities work to contain any potential spread. The virus’s comeback is being blamed on Diamer’s rocky topography, as well as poor immunisation rates due to vaccine reluctance and limited access.
Health experts have warned that this isolated case could threaten Pakistan’s broader progress toward polio eradication, especially as the country and Afghanistan remain the last two polio-endemic nations in the world. The resurgence calls for enhanced surveillance, vaccination outreach, and community engagement in vulnerable regions.
The Ministry of National Health Services has reiterated its commitment to eliminate the virus, urging parents to ensure children receive all polio drops, even during routine drives. This incident serves as a stark reminder that until global eradication is achieved, no region is truly safe from a polio resurgence.
