Polio, once nearing global eradication, now faces renewed risk as reports from 2025 highlight spikes in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The disruptions to aid campaigns and rising vaccine skepticism threaten progress and offer a crucial lesson for Thailand’s immunization and pandemic preparedness.
Despite decades of effort, polio has never fully left the world. The latest warnings focus on Pakistan and Afghanistan—the last two nations with active wild polio transmission. In 2024, Pakistan saw a sharp rise in cases, while Afghanistan reported dozens of infections, underscoring how operational challenges and vaccination gaps persist. Early 2025 figures show continued, though smaller, case numbers, reminding health officials that the virus can rebound with the right conditions.
Experts warn that polio’s persistence in these countries has global implications. Senior officials note that funding cuts, if not addressed, could drive a surge of paralysis cases and widespread transmission. Leaders at the World Health Organization emphasize that funding gaps hinder eradication efforts and leave populations at risk in multiple regions.
Environmental surveillance has detected the wild polio virus in wastewater in cities far from traditional hotspots, illustrating how easily the virus can travel in an interconnected world. Even nations long considered polio-free, including those in North America, face ongoing calls to maintain high vaccination coverage amid vaccine skepticism and uneven immunization rates.
For Thai readers, the core message is clear. Vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and access barriers have created immunization gaps in regions affected by conflict and instability. In some communities, myths about vaccines persist, while health workers face safety risks and travel restrictions. These dynamics explain why polio can re-emerge in vulnerable populations and why robust vaccination programs matter everywhere.
Thailand currently maintains a polio-free status thanks to a strong immunization program that uses both oral and inactivated vaccines. Routine coverage remains high, contributing to herd immunity. Yet experts caution that imported cases are always possible through travel and cross-border movement, especially as global disruptions influence vaccination attitudes elsewhere. Thailand’s own experiences with vaccine hesitancy during the COVID-19 period underline the need for consistent trust-building and clear public health messaging.
Thai public health efforts already emphasize migrant populations and other vulnerable groups. Catch-up campaigns and free vaccinations for children of migrants help preserve Thailand’s disease-free status. Maintaining these efforts is essential, as gaps in coverage can undermine national protection.
The polio situation highlights a broader truth: public health relies on sustained funding, political commitment, and proactive community engagement. Public health officials stress that uninterrupted vaccination and vigilant surveillance are key to preventing outbreaks. The interplay between vaccination campaigns, funding stability, and social trust determines how quickly communities recover from health shocks.
Looking ahead, strengthening surveillance is crucial. Acute flaccid paralysis monitoring should continue, and sewage-based surveillance can be expanded in high-risk urban areas. Border regions, migrant communities, and areas with historically lower uptake deserve particular attention. Thai parents play the most important role: ensuring that all children receive complete polio immunization and boosters as guided by the national health authorities. Adults traveling to risk zones should verify their vaccination status and seek boosters as appropriate.
In sum, polio remains a global test of public health resilience. The Thai health system can use this moment to reinforce prevention, sustain vaccination momentum, and engage trusted local voices to counter misinformation. As Dr. Hamid Jafari from the WHO polio program has warned, polio is a susceptible, transmission-prone disease that can re-emerge if not continually checked. The practical takeaway for Thai readers is to review children’s vaccination records, stay informed about emerging health risks, and maintain vigilance—prevention is still the best defense.
Cultural note: Thai public health tradition emphasizes community protection and pro-active care. Local leaders, religious figures, and respected elders can help reinforce accurate vaccine information and encourage families to complete immunization schedules.