Continued discovery of polio infections underlines a continued hazard to children, especially in areas with low vaccine adoption.
- NIH’s Regional Reference Laboratory confirms the case.
- 12 cases reported in South Khyber Pakhtunkhwa so far.
- Concerns over virus transmission in high-risk areas have renewed.
ISLAMABAD Health officials verified that a five-month-old infant from Lakki Marwat area in South Khyber Pakhtunkhwa tested positive for the virus, bringing the total number of polio cases in Pakistan in 2025 to 19.
The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that the most recent case, reported from Union Council Sulemankhel, is the 12th infection found in the province this year.
Families in the area are once again worried about the discovery, as polio continues to pose a threat to young children despite continuous efforts to eradicate it.
Health authorities said communities must realize that all children must receive repeated vaccinations to prevent poliovirus.
Immunity must be developed and maintained over time with multiple doses. Each unvaccinated youngster is still at risk and could help spread the illness in other ways.
Polio is a very contagious, fatal illness that can paralyze a person for the rest of their life. The oral polio vaccine (OPV) must be administered repeatedly to all children under five during each campaign, and all necessary vaccinations must be completed on time, as this is the only effective method of protection.
Even though the quality of polio vaccination campaigns has significantly improved worldwide, the southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continue to be a major source of worry because of limited access, a shortage of female vaccinators, and difficulties in carrying out house-to-house immunization.
Thousands of youngsters in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remain unvaccinated as a result of these obstacles, which continue to impede immunization efforts.
The Pakistan PEI has made great strides in the last 12 months. Six excellent immunization efforts, including four nationwide campaigns, have effectively reached more than 45 million children each since September 2024.
In addition to targeted efforts in certain high-risk districts, the National Emergency Operations Center plans to carry out two nationally and one sub-national campaign between September and December 2025.
To stop the spread of the poliovirus and safeguard children nationwide, these persistent measures are crucial.
Chief Secretary KP Shahab Ali Shah presided over an extraordinary high-level meeting in Peshawar on August 2 and 3.
South KP district teams provided tailored operational plans that highlighted gap analysis, microplanning innovations, and methods for resolving enduring problems in high-risk locations.
A consensual roadmap that matched district strategies with the provincial goal of a KP free of polio was finalized following extensive discussions.
Beginning on September 1st, Pakistan will launch its next polio vaccination campaign, with a particular emphasis on priority and high-risk areas, such as South Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
In order to close any gaps and rapidly increase immunity, the effort seeks to vaccinate every kid under the age of five.
In order to help prevent lifelong paralysis, parents and caregivers have been encouraged to make sure their kids receive polio drops during this crucial campaign.
Eradication of polio is a shared duty that calls for coordinated attacks at all levels. As committed frontline polio workers continue to administer life-saving immunizations, parents and other caregivers must make sure their children receive all recommended doses of the vaccine.
Communities need to take an active part in promoting vaccination campaigns, clearing up false information, and motivating others to vaccinate their children on time.
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