The World Health Organization (WHO) has extended travel restrictions for Pakistan due to a continuing polio outbreak. The restrictions are set to remain in place until at least July 2025. The WHO’s Emergency Committee made this decision after reviewing the spread of polio in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The virus has been classified as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Officials are urging the governments of both nations to enhance efforts to contain the disease.
WHO’s Decision on Travel Restrictions
The WHO’s Emergency Committee reviewed the global situation concerning polio and its spread, particularly in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The decision to extend travel restrictions was based on a significant rise in polio cases in Pakistan. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of reported paralytic polio cases in Pakistan increased twelvefold. As of 2025, nearly 630 environmental samples in the country have tested positive for polio, and six cases have been confirmed. This marks a worrying increase compared to the 74 cases recorded in 2024.
The Growing Threat of Polio in Pakistan
Several regions of Pakistan remain at high risk of further polio transmission. The provinces of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh continue to face challenges in controlling the virus. These areas, along with major cities like Karachi, Peshawar, and Quetta, are seeing a resurgence of poliovirus type 1 (WPV1). The WHO has emphasized that the most intense transmission is occurring in the southern cross-border region, including the Quetta Block in Pakistan and the South Region of Afghanistan.
According to the WHO, these regions represent “epidemiologically critical” areas where the virus continues to spread, posing a serious threat to public health. In particular, the situation in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and central Pakistan remains a major concern.
Areas of Concern in Afghanistan
The situation is compounded by failures in vaccination campaigns in Afghanistan. In the second half of 2024, house-to-house vaccination efforts faltered, particularly affecting younger children and girls. This has led to a resurgence of the virus, which is now spreading across the region. The movement of displaced persons and refugees has further complicated efforts to control the disease.
The WHO stresses that vaccinating children along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border is crucial. The organization is calling for improved cross-border cooperation and synchronized vaccination campaigns in both countries to stem the spread of the virus.
The Global Impact of the Polio Outbreak
Polio remains a major public health threat in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the two remaining countries where the virus is not under control. While progress has been made in some areas, clusters of polio strains are still reported in parts of Nigeria and the Horn of Africa. Additionally, there are concerns about the high number of unvaccinated children in northern Yemen.
In its report, the WHO emphasized the importance of global cooperation to prevent the further spread of polio. Countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nigeria must continue their efforts to eradicate the virus and protect future generations from paralysis and death.
Travel Restrictions and Their Implications
The WHO has classified Pakistan under its “Temporary Recommendations” due to the ongoing polio crisis. This designation requires the country to implement measures to eliminate the virus, including the vaccination of all residents and travelers. The WHO recommends that individuals traveling internationally from Pakistan must receive a polio vaccination between four weeks and 12 months before departure.
If travelers cannot provide proof of vaccination, they will be prohibited from leaving the country by any means of transport—whether by road, sea, or air. This requirement is designed to minimize the risk of polio spreading beyond the affected regions.
Collaborative Efforts to Tackle Polio
The WHO urges both Pakistan and Afghanistan to strengthen their efforts in eradicating polio. The organization stresses that effective vaccination campaigns must be carried out in both countries to achieve global eradication of the virus. This includes improving access to vaccines in hard-to-reach areas and ensuring that no child is left behind.
In addition, the WHO has called for closer coordination between governments, health organizations, and local communities to combat polio effectively. The success of these efforts will be crucial in determining the future of polio eradication worldwide.
The ongoing polio outbreak in Pakistan and Afghanistan remains a serious public health concern. The WHO’s extension of travel restrictions underscores the urgency of the situation. With intensified vaccination campaigns and international cooperation, there is hope for controlling the spread of the virus. However, continued vigilance and action are needed to ensure that polio is eradicated once and for all.
