Pakistan reports another wild poliovirus case in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, has confirmed a polio case from District North Waziristan in South Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
A 19-month-old boy from Union Council Miranshah-3, District North Waziristan, has been confirmed as the eighth polio case from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa this year. With this latest detection, the total number of polio cases in Pakistan in 2025 has reached 14 — including eight from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, four 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 five during each campaign, along with timely completion of all essential immunizations.
While nationwide efforts to eradicate polio continue to improve the quality of vaccination campaigns, the southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remain a major concern due to limited access and challenges in conducting house-to-house vaccination. These obstacles result in missed opportunities, leaving thousands of children unvaccinated and vulnerable to poliovirus.
A special vaccination activity was conducted in six union councils of Bannu from June 23 to 28, during which 17,485 children received the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV). A similar targeted vaccination drive is being planned in 11 union councils of North Waziristan.
Additionally, preparations are underway for a large-scale special vaccination campaign in South Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, scheduled for August.
Recent polio cases in South KP are a stark reminder that children missed during vaccination campaigns remain at serious risk. While the programme is making every effort to reach every child, the role of parents is critical. Ensuring your child receives every dose of the polio vaccine is not just important — it’s urgent.
Polio eradication is a shared responsibility. Frontline health workers are going door-to-door delivering life-saving vaccines, but lasting protection begins at home. Parents and caregivers must take action — every polio dose builds stronger immunity. With continued community support and parental commitment, we can stop the virus for good.
