Poliovirus confirmed in 5-month-old baby in Lakki Marwat

ISLAMABAD: A new case of wild poliovirus has been confirmed in a five-month-old baby from Lakki Marwat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, bringing Pakistan’s total number of polio cases to 19 so far this year, the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) said on Tuesday.

Officials at NEOC have expressed serious concern over the ongoing transmission of poliovirus in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, describing the situation as “alarming” and warranting immediate and focused action.

“Southern KP remains a major challenge in the fight against polio,” the NEOC said in an official statement, adding that under the leadership of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary, a special plan has been formulated specifically for high-risk districts in the region.

According to the NEOC, enhanced and targeted interventions are already underway in southern KP to curb virus circulation. “Integrated strategies are being implemented to overcome access-related issues in high-risk areas,” the statement noted.

A nationwide special anti-polio vaccination campaign is being planned for next month, which will place special focus on the vulnerable districts of southern KP, where most of this year’s cases have been reported. The NEOC has issued an urgent appeal to parents across the country to ensure that all children under the age of five receive the polio vaccine during the upcoming campaign. “Parents are also advised to complete the full course of routine immunization to protect children from polio and other preventable diseases,” it added.

This year’s surge in polio cases, particularly from southern KP, has raised red flags among global health partners, especially given Pakistan’s fragile gains in the final stretch towards polio eradication. Health experts warn that sustained transmission in a few hotspots could jeopardize the country’s chances of eliminating the disease entirely.

The new case in Lakki Marwat follows several others from adjacent districts in KP, highlighting persistent operational, security, and misinformation challenges that continue to hinder vaccination efforts in the region.