KP confirms 2 new polio cases, total hits 23

The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, has confirmed two new poliovirus cases from south Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one from district Tank and the other from district North Waziristan.

Pakistan has confirmed two new polio cases, raising the country’s total for 2025 to 23. According to the National Institute of Health’s polio eradication laboratory, the latest cases involve a 16-month-old girl from Union Council Mullazai in district Tank and a 24-month-old girl from Union Council Miran Shah-3 in North Waziristan. So far, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has reported 15 cases, Sindh six, and Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan one each.

Polio remains a highly contagious and incurable disease that can cause lifelong paralysis. Health experts stress that the only effective protection is through repeated doses of the oral polio vaccine for every child under five, along with timely completion of routine immunisations. Despite progress in reducing cases, the continued detection of the virus, especially in southern KP, highlights gaps in coverage. Children in remote or vaccine-hesitant communities remain at risk. The National and Provincial Emergency Operations Centres say they are working to strengthen campaigns and ensure maximum reach.

To curb transmission, the National Emergency Operations Centre will launch the first vaccination campaign of the low transmission season from September 1 to 7, 2025. A separate drive will begin on September 15 in southern KP. Over 28 million children under five are expected to receive the vaccine during these door-to-door campaigns. Officials urged parents and caregivers to ensure their children get vaccinated in every round. They also called on communities to support health workers, fight misinformation, and encourage vaccination. For guidance, citizens can contact the Sehat Tahaffuz Helpline at 1166 or the Polio Helpline on WhatsApp at 0346-7776546.