A new case of poliovirus has been detected in Noord -Waziristan, which brought the Pakistan 2025 count to 14, the regional reference laboratory for polio extension to the National Institute of Health (NIH) said Tuesday.
The last case includes a 19-month old boy from the Union Council Miranshah-3 in district North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
This marks the eighth case of KP only this year, with the remaining cases reported from Sindh (4), Punjab (1) and Gilgit-Baltistan (1).
Polio is a highly contagious, incurable disease that can lead to permanent paralysis. Repeated doses of the oral polio vaccine (OP) During each campaign, together with completion of all essential immunisations, the only effective security for children younger than five remain.
Although vaccination continues to improve throughout the country in size and quality, the southern districts of KP remain a persistent challenge.
Limited access and difficulties in performing home-to-house vaccination campaigns have led thousands of children to miss doses and remain exposed to the polio virus.
In response, targeted efforts are underway. From 23 to 28 June, a special vaccination campaign in six trade union councils from Bannu OP has managed to 17,485 children. A similar drive is planned for 11 trade union councils in Noord -Waziristan.
Moreover, preparations are underway for a large -scale vaccination campaign in South KP in August.
Civil servants warn that the emergence of new cases in the region emphasizes the urgent need to reach every child. While front line employees make door-to-door efforts, the involvement of parents is crucial. Each missed dose represents a risk – and every dose administered brings the country one step closer to eradication of the disease.
