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PESHAWAR, Oct 21 (APP):The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, has confirmed a new case of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in District Torghar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This marks the second reported case from the district this year.
According to the Pakistan Polio Program, the virus was detected in a 12-month-old boy from Union Council Ghari, Torghar. With this detection, the total number of polio cases in Pakistan in 2025 has reached 30, including 19 from KP, nine from Sindh, and one each from Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan.
In September 2025, 127 sewage samples were collected from 87 districts nationwide through the environmental surveillance network.
Of these, 81 samples tested negative for poliovirus, while 44 were positive. Two samples remain under process.
While overall detections have declined, authorities note that poliovirus transmission persists in certain high-risk areas, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and targeted vaccination efforts.
Polio remains a highly contagious and incurable disease that can cause permanent paralysis. The only effective protection is through repeated doses of the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) for every child under five, along with full routine immunization.
The Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) has intensified efforts to sustain comprehensive vaccination coverage and ensure high-quality campaigns in vulnerable areas.
The National Task Force has endorsed the 2025–26 roadmap to stop transmission through multiple supplementary immunization activities and strengthen routine immunization.
The fourth national polio vaccination campaign of 2025 was conducted last week, reaching over 44 million children across the country.
In South KP, the campaign is currently underway from October 20 to 23.
Polio eradication is a shared national responsibility. Over 400,000 frontline workers continue their dedicated efforts to deliver vaccines to every doorstep.
It is the responsibility of parents and caregivers to ensure that every child receives all recommended doses, including routine immunizations.
Communities, teachers, religious leaders, and media outlets have also been encouraged to support vaccination efforts, counter misinformation, and promote awareness so that every child in Pakistan can live a polio-free life.