Two additional polio cases have been confirmed in Pakistan, both reported from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, pushing the national total to 10 in 2025.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad confirmed that one child each from Lakki Marwat and Bannu districts had tested positive for the wild poliovirus. The cases were identified following laboratory tests carried out by the NIH.
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These recent infections bring KP’s total polio cases for the year to five, raising concerns about the virus’s continued presence in the region.
Health officials stated that both affected children are under the age of five. Investigations have been launched to review their immunisation history and identify how they may have contracted the virus.
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Authorities are intensifying efforts to trace potential sources of infection and prevent further spread, especially in high-risk areas where routine vaccination campaigns often face challenges.
Despite repeated efforts to eradicate polio, Pakistan remains one of the few countries where the virus still exists, with health experts calling for stronger community engagement and consistent immunisation drives to protect vulnerable children.