Latest news with #PakistanPolioEradicationProgramme
Business Recorder
18 hours ago
- Health
- Business Recorder
NIH announces registration of 19th poliovirus positive case
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme (PPEP), Wednesday, announced registration of 19th poliovirus positive case in the country as regional reference laboratory for polio eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH) has confirmed a new case of polio from District Lakki Marwat in south Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). The case involves a 5-month-old child from Union Council Sulemankhel of District Lakki Marwat making it the third case of the district and the 12th poliovirus case detected from the KPK this year, bringing the total number of polio cases in Pakistan in 2025 to 19. The continued detection of polio cases highlights the ongoing threat to children, especially in areas with low vaccine acceptance. During 2025 five poliovirus positive cases are reported from Sindh and one apiece from Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B). This year, three cases each have been reported from District Bannu and Lakki Marwat, two each from Tank and North Waziristan districts; one each from Torgha, DI Khan. In Sindh, one each polio cases has been reported from Badin, Larkana, Kambar, Thatta and Umer Kot districts, while one case was reported in District Mandi Bahauddin of Punjab and one case was reported from District Diamer of G-B. In 2024, Pakistan has reported a total of 74 polio cases, of which, 27 in Balochistan, 23 in KPK, 22 in Sindh, and one each in Punjab and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). According to health professionals, to eradicate poliovirus from the country, the federal and provincial authorities besides, polio vaccination drive should start cleaning sewerage as wild poliovirus is spreading through the sewerage. It is crucial for communities to understand that poliovirus can re-emerge wherever immunity gaps persist. Every unvaccinated child remains vulnerable and can also contribute to the spread of the virus. 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 the timely completion of all essential immunisations. Despite significant improvements in the quality of polio vaccination campaigns nationwide, the southern districts of KPK remain a key area of concern due to restricted access and operational challenges in conducting house-to-house vaccination. These barriers continue to hinder immunisation efforts in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, leaving thousands of children unvaccinated. It is crucial for communities to understand that repeated vaccination is essential to protect every child against poliovirus. Multiple doses are needed to build and maintain immunity. Every unvaccinated child remains at risk and may contribute to further transmission of the virus. Over the past year, the Pakistan PEI has achieved significant progress. Since September 2024, six high-quality immunisation campaigns, including four nationwide campaigns, have successfully reached over 45 million children each. The National Emergency Operations Centre is planning to conduct two nationwide and one sub-national campaign between September and December 2025, besides targeted campaigns in selected high-risk districts. These sustained efforts are essential to interrupt poliovirus transmission and protect children across the country. The next polio vaccination campaign in Pakistan will begin on 1st September, with a special focus on high-risk and priority areas, including south Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The campaign aims to vaccinate all children under the age of five, quickly boosting their immunity and closing any gaps. Parents and caregivers are strongly encouraged to ensure their children receive polio drops during this important campaign to help protect them from lifelong paralysis. Polio eradication is a collective responsibility that requires unified efforts at all levels. While dedicated frontline polio workers continue to deliver life-saving vaccines, it is equally critical for parents and caregivers to ensure their children receive every dose of the polio vaccine. Communities must play an active role by supporting vaccination efforts, dispelling misinformation, and encouraging others to protect their children through timely immunisation. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Health
- Business Recorder
18th poliovirus positive case reported: PPEP
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme (PPEP), Friday, announced detection of 18th poliovirus positive case in the country as the health authorities confirmed a 10-month-old boy from Union Council Mullazaiin District Tank, South Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) poliovirus positive. The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH), while confirming a new case of poliovirus from District Tank in South KPK, taking the number of cases in the district to two while total cases in KPK to 11. Moreover, five poliovirus positive cases are reported from Sindh and one apiece from Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B). This year three cases have been reported from District Bannu, two each Lakki Marwat, Tank and North Waziristan districts, one each from Torgha, DI Khan. In Sindh one each polio cases has been reported from Badin, Larkana, Kambar, Thatta and Umer Kot districts, while one case was reported in district Mandi Bahauddin of Punjab and one case was reported from District Diamer of G-B. In 2024, Pakistan has reported a total 74 polio cases, of which, 27 in Balochistan, 23 in KPK, 22 in Sindh one each in Punjab and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). According to health professionals, to eradicate poliovirus from the country the federal and provincial authorities besides, polio vaccination drive should start cleaning sewerage as wild poliovirus is spreading through the sewerage. The continued detection of polio cases underscores the persistent threat to children, particularly in areas with low vaccine acceptance. It is crucial for communities to understand that poliovirus can re-emerge wherever immunity gaps persist. Every unvaccinated child remains vulnerable and can also contribute to the spread of the virus. 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 the timely completion of all essential immunisations. Despite significant improvements in the quality of polio vaccination campaigns nationwide, the southern districts of KPK remain a key area of concern due to restricted access and operational challenges in conducting house-to-house vaccination. These barriers continue to hinder immunisation efforts in southern KPK, leaving thousands of children unvaccinated. Over the last year, the Pakistan Polio Programme has made measurable strides. Since September 2024, six high-quality campaigns, including four nationwide campaigns, have each reached over 45 million children. The National EOC is planning to conduct two nationwide and one sub-national campaign between August and December 2025, besides, targeted campaigns in selected high-risk districts. These efforts will help stop virus transmission and protect children from poliovirus. As part of intensified efforts to eradicate polio in South KPK, the Prime Minister's Focal Person on Polio Eradication, and the Coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Centre, held a meeting with the chief secretary of KPK, in Peshawar to review ongoing initiatives in the province. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
21-05-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Two polio cases confirmed in Lakki, Bannu
The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health has confirmed two new cases of wild poliovirus in Lakki Marwat and Bannu districts. While high-quality polio vaccination campaigns continue nationwide, certain areas-particularly in southern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa-continue to face challenges such as restricted access and difficulties in conducting house-to-house vaccination campaigns, reads a press statement issued by Emergency Operation Center (EOC) KP here on Wednesday. These access and operational hurdles leave thousands of children, particularly in south K-P at risk of exposure to poliovirus as a result of missed opportunities for vaccination. Due to ongoing access constraints and community concerns, children in UC Bakhmal Ahmad Zai (Lakki Marwat) missed out on vaccination opportunities during the February and April 2025 immunisation campaigns, resulting in immunity gaps, the statement explained. In UC Saintanga, Tehsil Wazir (Bannu), no comprehensive campaign has been implemented since October 2023. Limited access, shortage of female vaccinators, and gaps in monitoring have contributed to immunity gaps, leaving children at continued risk of poliovirus transmission. The Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme is actively engaging with all stakeholders to address operational and access challenges and to enhance the effectiveness of vaccination campaigns in these high-risk areas. An intensified vaccination schedule is being implemented to interrupt virus transmission and protect children from lifelong paralysis.
Business Recorder
21-05-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
Two new polio cases confirmed in KP; total reaches to 10 in 2025
The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health has confirmed two new cases of wild poliovirus in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, raising fresh concerns over the persistence of the disease in high-risk areas. According to a press release, the latest cases have been detected in District Lakki Marwat and District Bannu, bringing the total number of confirmed polio cases in Pakistan this year to 10. Of these, five are from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, four from Sindh, and one from Punjab. Despite ongoing national vaccination campaigns, several districts in southern KP continue to face operational and access challenges. Restricted movement, community resistance, and a shortage of female vaccinators have hindered efforts to reach every child, particularly in remote union councils. In Lakki Marwat's Union Council Bakhmal Ahmad Zai, children were unable to receive polio drops during the February and April 2025 immunisation drives. Similarly, in the Union Council Saintanga, Tehsil Wazir of Bannu district, no comprehensive campaign has been held since October 2023. Six polio virus cases reported in less than three months: PPEP 'These gaps in immunisation have left thousands of children vulnerable to the poliovirus,' a health official said, warning that without immediate and sustained intervention, the virus could continue to circulate. In response, the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme is intensifying its vaccination efforts. Stakeholder engagement has been ramped up to address barriers to access and improve campaign quality in high-risk regions. An accelerated vaccination schedule is being implemented to curb virus transmission and prevent new cases. The third nationwide polio campaign of the year is scheduled to begin on May 26, targeting over 45.4 million children under five across 159 districts. Special focus will be placed on the southern belt of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where immunity gaps remain a pressing concern. The Programme has urged parents to ensure their children do not miss any round of polio drops. 'Each dose strengthens a child's immunity. In the fight against polio, no child should be left behind,' the statement emphasised. Pakistan remains one of only two countries where wild poliovirus remains endemic.
Business Recorder
23-04-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
7th polio case reported from KP
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has reported seventh wild polio virus case of the ongoing year as a polio case from District Torghar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme (PPEP) announced here on Wednesday. According to PPEP, the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH) has confirmed a polio case from District Torghar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This is the second polio case from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the seventh case from Pakistan at large this year. The second nationwide (NID) polio campaign of the year is currently in progress in the country from April 21 to 27, aiming to vaccinate 45.4 million children under the age of five across the country. This will be followed by another nationwide campaign from May 26 to June 1. District Torghar is included in both these vaccination campaigns, along with all other districts of the country. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
