PESHAWAR: The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad has confirmed a case of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This marks the fifth case reported from North Waziristan in 2025, bringing the total number of polio cases in Pakistan for the year to 31.
The wild poliovirus was detected in a 4-month-old girl from Union Council Spinwam-2 in North Waziristan. The child showed symptoms in December, and subsequent tests confirmed the presence of WPV1. This case is now officially counted as the 31st case of polio for 2025.
In the previous year, Pakistan reported a total of 20 cases from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, nine from Sindh, and one each from Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa accounted for more than half of Pakistan’s WPV1 cases in 2025, with 17 out of the 31 cases reported from this region. Ongoing security challenges have hindered consistent access for polio vaccination teams in parts of southern KP, including North Waziristan.
It is essential to ensure that every child receives the polio vaccine during house-to-house campaigns and completes their routine immunization schedule. The Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) is adopting innovative strategies, especially in southern KP, such as involving local influencers in vaccination campaigns and providing integrated services, including nutrition and routine vaccination, to enhance children’s immunity.
Although the overall trend shows a decline in poliovirus detections compared to 2024 reflecting the impact of high-quality vaccination campaigns conducted in 2025, virus circulation continues in certain high-risk areas.
These findings highlight the ongoing need for targeted efforts to interrupt transmission. Effective protection can only be achieved through repeated doses of the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) for every child under five during vaccination campaigns, along with timely completion of routine immunizations.
As part of this roadmap, the first nationwide polio campaign of 2026 is scheduled from February 2nd to 8th. The campaign aims to vaccinate over 45 million children under the age of five across the country, including in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
These campaigns are designed to rapidly boost children’s immunity and enhance protection as part of Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to eradicate polio. Parents and caregivers are urged to ensure that their children are vaccinated during this and every campaign, as vaccination remains the only reliable defense against lifelong disability.
Communities, religious leaders, and the media also play a vital role in promoting vaccination, countering misinformation, and ensuring every child in Pakistan is protected. Together, we can achieve a polio-free future for every child in the country.
Read also: first nationwide polio drive of 2026 to begin soon: NEOC
