Polio cases rise in Pakistan as 14th infection confirmed in North Waziristan

Pakistan reports 14th polio case in 2025, latest infection found in North Waziristan

ISLAMABAD: The National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) has officially confirmed Pakistan’s 14th polio case in 2025, with the latest infection reported in North Waziristan, a high-risk district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to the Polio Reference Laboratory, the affected child is a 19-month-old from North Waziristan. This brings the national polio tally for 2025 to 14 confirmed cases, sparking concerns about the persistence of the wild poliovirus in Pakistan.

Polio cases reported by province:

• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (8 cases)
• Sindh (4 cases)
• Punjab (1 case)
• Gilgit-Baltistan (1 case)

In response to the latest confirmed case, NEOC has announced a special polio vaccination campaign targeting 11 union councils in North Waziristan. The campaign aims to quickly contain the spread of the virus and prevent further infections among children in the region.

Health officials urge timely vaccination

NEOC and provincial health authorities are strongly urging all parents and caregivers to:

• Ensure their children receive polio drops during every immunization campaign.
• Complete routine vaccination schedules to protect children against polio, measles, diphtheria, and other preventable diseases.
• Officials emphasized that public participation is essential in defeating the virus and reaching global eradication goals.

Polio remains endemic in Pakistan

Despite significant progress in recent years, Pakistan remains one of only two countries worldwide—along with Afghanistan—where wild poliovirus transmission continues. Experts stress that continued surveillance, rapid response strategies, and widespread community engagement are critical to eliminating the disease.

Related Story: Pakistan reports 72nd polio case of 2024

The latest case underscores the importance of community trust, public awareness, and consistent outreach to ensure zero-dose children—those who have never received a vaccine—are identified and immunized.

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