The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, has confirmed a new case of wild poliovirus (WPV1) in District Torghar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This is the second case from District Torghar this year. 

The poliovirus was detected in a 12-month-old boy from Union Council Ghari, Torghar. With this detection, the total number of polio cases in Pakistan in 2025 has reached 30 – including 19 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, nine from Sindh, and one each from Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan. 

Moreover, in September 2025, the Pakistan Polio Program collected 127 sewage samples from 87 districts across the country through its environmental surveillance network. Of these, 81 were found negative with no poliovirus detected, while 44 samples tested positive. Two samples are currently under process in the lab. Province wise details are given below:

  • Balochistan: 21 negative, 2 positive
  • Punjab: 22 negative, 8 positive, 1 under process
  • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 24 negative, 10 positive
  • Sindh: 7 negative, 21 positive, 1 under process
  • Islamabad: 4 negative, 1 positive
  • Azad Jammu & Kashmir: 3 negative
  • Gilgit-Baltistan: 1 negative, 1 positive

While the overall trend indicates a decline in positive detections, reflecting the impact of recent high-quality vaccination campaigns, virus circulation persists in certain high-risk areas. These detections highlight the continued need for strong, targeted efforts to interrupt transmission.

Polio is a highly contagious and incurable disease that can cause lifelong paralysis. The only effective protection is through repeated doses of the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) for every child under the age of five during each vaccination campaign, along with the timely completion of all routine immunization. 

The PEI is intensifying efforts to sustain comprehensive vaccination coverage and ensure the highest quality campaigns in vulnerable areas. The National Task Force has endorsed the 2025–26 roadmap to stop polio transmission through multiple supplementary immunization activities and efforts to strengthen routine immunization. The fourth national polio vaccination campaign of 2025 was conducted last week vaccinating over 44 million children. The campaign in South KP is currently in progress (20 – 23 October).

Polio eradication is a shared national responsibility. While more than 400,000 dedicated frontline workers continue their courageous and tireless efforts to deliver vaccines to every doorstep, parents and caregivers must also ensure that their children receive all recommended doses, including routine immunizations. 

Communities, teachers, religious leaders, and the media also play a vital role by supporting vaccination efforts, countering misinformation, and encouraging others to vaccinate so that every child is protected. Together, we can secure a polio-free future for every child in Pakistan. 

For more information, contact the Sehat Tahaffuz Helpline at 1166 or the Polio Helpline via WhatsApp at 0346-7776546.