Two new polio cases reported in K-P as toll rises to 10

Of these ten cases, five are from K-P, four from Sindh, and one from Punjab.

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Pakistan’s confirmed polio cases for 2025 have reached 10, following the National Institute of Health’s Regional Reference Laboratory confirmation of two new wild poliovirus cases in Lakki Marwat and Bannu districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).

Of these, five cases are from K-P, four from Sindh, and one from Punjab.

Despite ongoing high-quality polio vaccination campaigns nationwide, areas in southern K-P face significant challenges, including restricted access and difficulties conducting house-to-house immunisations, putting thousands of children at risk due to missed vaccinations.

In UC Bakhmal Ahmad Zai (Lakki Marwat), children missed vaccinations during the February and April campaigns, creating immunity gaps, while UC Saintanga, Tehsil Wazir (Bannu), has not seen a comprehensive campaign since October 2023.

Additional issues like a shortage of female vaccinators and monitoring gaps have further widened these immunity gaps.

The third nationwide polio vaccination campaign of 2025 will commence on May 26, targeting over 45.4 million children under five across 159 districts, including high-risk areas in southern K-P.