
Polio virus detected in 44 districts
A total of 56 environmental samples were collected, out of which 34 samples tested negative, while 22 confirmed the presence of the polio virus.
The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) stated that there has been a significant reduction in the virus's spread following vaccination campaigns conducted in February and April this year.
During this year's second nationwide polio campaign, over 45.3 million children were administered oral polio vaccine drops.

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Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
N Waziristan case takes tally to 14
The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, has confirmed a polio case from North Waziristan district, South Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. A 19-month-old boy from Union Council Miranshah-3 has been identified as the eighth polio case from K-P this year. With this latest detection, the total number of polio cases reported in Pakistan in 2025 has risen to 14 - including eight from K-P, 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 K-P, scheduled for August. Recent polio cases in South K-P 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.


Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Pakistan's polio tally rises to 14 as NIH confirms new case in North Waziristan
Listen to article A new polio case has been reported in the North Waziristan district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, confirmed the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH) Islamabad on Tuesday. A 19-month-old boy from Union Council Miranshah-3, North Waziristan, has been confirmed as the eighth polio case from K-P this year. With this latest case, the total number of polio cases in Pakistan in 2025 now stands at 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 repeated doses of the polio vaccine for every child under five during each campaign, along with timely completion of all essential immunisations. While nationwide efforts to eradicate polio continue to improve the quality of vaccination campaigns, the southern districts of K-P remain a major concern due to limited access and challenges in conducting house-to-house vaccinations. These obstacles lead to missed opportunities, leaving thousands of children unvaccinated and vulnerable to the 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 vaccine. A similar targeted vaccination drive is being planned for 11 union councils of North Waziristan. Additionally, preparations are underway for a large-scale special vaccination campaign in southern K-P, scheduled for August.


Express Tribune
21-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Polio: no sign of abating
Listen to article The confirmation of Pakistan's 12th polio case in 2025 — a boy from Bannu just short of his third birthday — marks another grim milestone in a worsening public health crisis. This year's cases, spanning six districts in K-P, four in Sindh, and one each in Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan, reveal a concerning trend. Despite decades of effort, the virus is regaining footholds in large cities, most notably Karachi. While we are still doing better statistically than last year, the only reason is that the 74 cases in 2024 represented a 12-fold surge from 2023, shattering earlier optimism and underscoring systemic vulnerabilities. Several interrelated crises drive this setback, including operational gaps, misinformation, militancy and security, and border-related issues. Several inaccessible areas in K-P and Balochistan have not seen comprehensive vaccination efforts for several months, and even years, because of security challenges, staff shortages and logistical difficulties. Anti-vaccine propaganda and outright threats from extremist groups further complicate the issue. Finally, the Afghan border was already a cause for concern for health authorities due to low vaccination rates across the border and among refugees, and security threats. This could worsen significantly if Israel's vicious campaign against Tehran leads to a large number of Iranians fleeing to Pakistan. The evolving nature of the challenges means there is no single solution for any part of the country. While ongoing vaccination efforts are laudable, creative solutions are required to fill lingering coverage gaps, particularly in high-risk zones where door-to-door campaigns were replaced with site-to-site efforts which, though safer, have been much less effective. We must also bridge the trust deficit between parents and the government. Political leaders, health bodies and local influencers must unite to dispel myths, ensure the safety of vaccinators and guarantee every dose reaches every child. Polio eradication is still possible within a few years, but only if we act with unprecedented urgency and cohesion.