Two polio cases confirmed in Lakki, Bannu

The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health has confirmed two new cases of wild poliovirus in Lakki Marwat and Bannu districts.

While high-quality polio vaccination campaigns continue nationwide, certain areas-particularly in southern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa-continue to face challenges such as restricted access and difficulties in conducting house-to-house vaccination campaigns, reads a press statement issued by Emergency Operation Center (EOC) KP here on Wednesday.

These access and operational hurdles leave thousands of children, particularly in south K-P at risk of exposure to poliovirus as a result of missed opportunities for vaccination.

Due to ongoing access constraints and community concerns, children in UC Bakhmal Ahmad Zai (Lakki Marwat) missed out on vaccination opportunities during the February and April 2025 immunisation campaigns, resulting in immunity gaps, the statement explained.

In UC Saintanga, Tehsil Wazir (Bannu), no comprehensive campaign has been implemented since October 2023. Limited access, shortage of female vaccinators, and gaps in monitoring have contributed to immunity gaps, leaving children at continued risk of poliovirus transmission.

The Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme is actively engaging with all stakeholders to address operational and access challenges and to enhance the effectiveness of vaccination campaigns in these high-risk areas.

An intensified vaccination schedule is being implemented to interrupt virus transmission and protect children from lifelong paralysis.