ISLAMABAD – A new case of wild poliovirus type 1 has been confirmed in Lakki Marwat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, raising Pakistan’s total for 2025 to 19 cases, health officials announced on Tuesday.
The patient is a five‑month‑old infant from Union Council Sulemankhel, marking the 12th case reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa this year. Health authorities said the detection underscores persistent challenges in eradicating the virus from high‑risk districts.
Officials stressed that repeated oral polio vaccine doses are critical to building immunity in children under five, warning that missed vaccinations leave them vulnerable to infection. The southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remain particularly difficult to cover due to access issues, security concerns, and a shortage of female vaccinators.
A nationwide anti‑polio campaign is scheduled to begin on September 1, with health workers focusing on high‑risk areas to ensure every eligible child is vaccinated. Authorities urged parents to cooperate with teams to prevent further spread of the virus.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.