A recently confirmed case of polio in the Khyber Paktunkhwa tanks district has brought the total number of cases of polyomyelitis in Pakistan this year, the regional reference laboratory for the eradication of the polio at the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad said on Friday.
Pakistan is one of the last two countries in the world, along with Afghanistan, where polyomyelitis remains endemic. Despite global efforts to eradicate virus, challenges such as safety problems, vaccine vaccine and erroneous information have slowed progress.
A press release from the Pakistan polio eradication program confirmed that a 10 -month -old boy of the Mullazai Union Council in the Tanques District was confirmed as the 11th case of Poly of KP this year, which raised the total number of cases of the country in 2025 to 18. Last year, 74 cases were reported in the country.
“The continuous detection of cases of polyomyelitis underlines the persistent threat to children, particularly in areas with low vaccine acceptance,” said the press release. “It is crucial that communities understand that poliovirus can resurface wherever immunity gaps persists.”
He added that each undesidated child remained vulnerable and could also contribute to the spread of the virus.
The press release indicated that the only effective protection for polyomyelitis, a highly infectious and incurable disease that can cause life paralysis, was through repeated doses of the polyomyelitis vaccine for each child under five years during each campaign, along with the timely completion of all essential immunizations.
Despite the “significant improvements” in the quality of vaccination campaigns against polyomyelitis throughout the country, the laboratory said that the southern KP districts remained a key area of concern due to restricted access and operational challenges in vaccination from home home, leaving “thousands of children without vaccination.”
According to the press release, six campaigns, including four throughout the country, have reached more than 45 million children since September 2024.
He added that the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) plans to carry out two national campaigns and a subnational between August and December of this year, as well as specific campaigns in selected high -risk districts, to help stop the transmission and protect the children of the virus.
As part of intensified efforts to eradicate polyomyelitis in southern KP, the focal person of the prime minister on the eradication of polyomyelitis, Senator Ayesha Raza Faooq and the coordinator of Neoc, Captain Anwarul Haq, held a meeting with the main secretary of KP, Shahab Ali Shah in Peshawar, on Tuesday he reviewed initiatives in the initiatives in the initiatives continuous in the province.
The meeting focused on the “campaign performance, current challenges and specific strategies to interrupt the transmission of poliovirus”, particularly in the southern districts of KP high risk, including Tank.
FAROOQ emphasized the need to “resolve persistent access barriers and guarantee uninterrupted presence and the performance of first -line vaccinators in high -risk union councils.”
Meanwhile, Anwarul Haq presented a specific strategy to improve the quality of campaigns and strengthen routine immunization, particularly in southern KP.
The press release added: “A special planning meeting focused on South KP is scheduled to be held in the office of the chief secretary from August 2 to 3.”
The program called eradication of polyomyelitis “a collective responsibility that requires unified efforts at all levels.”
“While dedicated first -line polio workers continue to deliver vaccines that save lives, it is equally critical for parents and caregivers to ensure that their children receive all doses of the polyomyelitis vaccine,” he said.
“Communities must play an active role in supporting vaccination efforts, dissipating erroneous information and encouraging others to protect their children through timely immunization.”
He directed citizens to the Sehat Tahaffuz aid line in 1166 to obtain information, as well as the poliomyelitis help line in WhatsApp at 0346-7776546.
Last Saturday, NIH had confirmed three new cases of polyomyelitis in the country in KP and Sindh.
In June, the Minister of Health, Mustafa Kamal, said that Pakistan has witnessed a decrease of more than 99 percent in cases of polio, saying that the eradication of polyomyelitis remains a priority of the government.
