New cases reported in Bannu and North Waziristan, posing an ongoing risk to the well-being of children
The National Emergency Operations Center for Polio Eradication (NEOC) on Friday confirmed two new cases of wild poliovirus in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The cases were reported in Bannu and North Waziristan, where access limitations continue to contribute to poliovirus transmission, posing an ongoing risk to the well-being of children.
Pakistan has reported three cases of polio so far in 2026. Since the launch of the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) in 1994, Pakistan has reduced polio cases by 99.8%: from an estimated 20,000 cases in the early 1990s to 31 in 2025.
The two new cases were reported through the poliovirus surveillance network and confirmed by the WHO-accredited Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Islamabad. The affected children belonged to Jani Khel union council of Bannu and Garyom union council of North Waziristan districts.
Read: First wild polio case of 2026 confirmed in Sindh
While overall poliovirus transmission in the country has been declining, with cases falling from 74 in 2024 to 31 in 2025 and three so far in 2026, reflecting the impact of high-quality vaccination campaigns, virus circulation in southern North Korea persists.
These detections underscore the continued need for robust, targeted efforts to interrupt transmission and the importance of consistent vaccination for children across the country. No child in Pakistan will be safe until all children are safe.
PEI is already analyzing the best science-based response to reach and immunize children in this region and prevent further transmission of poliovirus. Additionally, PEI is implementing alternative strategies in southern South Korea, including the integrated delivery of health services such as nutrition, routine immunization, maternal and child health, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), as well as a community-based polio vaccination initiative to increase vaccination rates and build immunity.
Polio is a highly contagious and incurable disease that can cause lifelong paralysis and, in some cases, even death. However, the disease is preventable thanks to polio vaccines, which are safe and effective and have been used safely in 195 countries, including all Muslim countries.
Read also: Why 40,000 Karachi families refused the polio vaccine
In 2026, Pakistan has already implemented two nationwide anti-polio campaigns that protected approximately 45 million children, while the next campaign is planned for May to immunize nearly 19 million children.
Polio eradication is a collective responsibility. While Pakistan’s dedicated frontline workers ensure vaccines reach all children, parents and caregivers play a crucial role in ensuring their children receive all recommended doses, including routine vaccines. PEI urges all parents and caregivers to ensure that their children are vaccinated during each campaign to protect them from permanent disability and/or death.
