- The last case marks the eleventh confirmed case of KP this year.
- Neoc will carry out three more campaigns between August and December.
- Special Planning Meeting at South KP that will be held from August 2 to 3.
Pakistan’s national count rose to 18 by 2025 on Friday after a new case of poliovirus was confirmed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The Regional Reference Laboratory for the eradication of polyomyelitis at the National Institute of Health has confirmed the detection of the case in the District of Tanks.
According to a press release, the case was detected in a 10-month-old boy from the Mullazai Union Council in the Tanques District, marking the eleventh case in KP this year, along with five from Sindh and one from Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan.
The continuous detection of cases of polyomyelitis underlines the persistent threat to children, particularly in areas with low vaccine acceptance.
“It is crucial that communities understand that poliovirus can resurface wherever the immunity gaps persists. Each unaccinated child is still vulnerable and can also contribute to the spread of the virus,” said the press release.
“Poly is a highly infectious and incurable disease that can cause life paralysis. The only effective protection is through repeated doses of the oral vaccine of polyomyelitis (OPV) for each child under five during each campaign, together with the timely completion of all essential immunizations.”
Despite the significant improvements in the vaccination efforts of polyomyelitis throughout the country, the southern KP districts remain an important concern, according to the statement.
Restricted access and operational challenges in making houses from home in these areas continue to prevent immunization efforts, leaving thousands of unvaccinated children, he added.
Since September 2024, the Pakistan Polio Program has carried out six high quality campaigns, including four national initiatives, which have reached each of more than 45 million children.
The National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) plans to carry out two more national campaigns and a subnational between August and December of this year, together with specific campaigns in high -risk districts, to stop virus transmission and protect children from the disease.
In response to continuous challenges, particularly in southern KP, the focal person of the prime minister in the eradication of polyomyelitis and the Neoc coordinator recently met with the main secretary of the province in Peshawar.
Their discussions focused on reviewing the performance of the campaign, addressing current challenges and strategy to interrupt the transmission of poliovirus in the southern high -risk districts of KP, including Tank.
In addition, a special planning meeting focused on South KP is scheduled to be held at the office of the main secretary from August 2 to 3.
