Poliovirus Outbreak: 24 Cases in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Peshawar, Sep 1 (PTI) One more case of poliovirus has emerged in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, as confirmed by the National Institute of Health (NIH) on Monday, bringing the total number of cases this year to 24. The NIH reported that the latest infection was found in a 20-month-old child from Tank district, increasing the province's overall count to 16 cases. In response to the rising cases, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's government initiated a polio immunisation campaign last week, targeting the southern region where polio vaccination teams frequently encounter resistance. According to the NIH, the 24 cases recorded in 2025 are comprised of 16 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, six from Sindh, and one each from Punjab and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir's Gilgit-Baltistan. A strategic plan for eradicating polio in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been developed and finalised, which includes micro-planning innovations, gap analyses, and targeted strategies to tackle ongoing challenges. To address the increasing cases, a polio vaccination campaign will be conducted from September 15 to 18, concentrating on Bannu, Bajaur, and seven districts within the Dera Ismail Khan division, as announced by the immunisation campaign team last week. The NIH has urged parents to cooperate with polio teams and ensure that their children complete the immunisation course. Pakistan stands as one of the final two nations globally, alongside Afghanistan, where polio continues to be endemic. Despite worldwide efforts to eradicate the virus, issues like security concerns, vaccine hesitancy, and misinformation have hindered progress.

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