Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reports another polio case, bringing national tally to 24

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: Another case of poliovirus has been confirmed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, pushing the country’s total number of infections this year to 24.

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), the latest case was detected in a 20-month-old girl from the Jandola area of Tank district.

Officials noted that the affected locality had been left out of vaccination campaigns due to persistent security concerns. This has left children vulnerable to the disease, particularly in parts of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where access remains limited.

The new infection is the 14th reported case from Tank district in 2025 alone, highlighting the region’s disproportionate burden in the nationwide tally.

Regional breakdown

According to NIH figures, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa accounts for 16 of the confirmed polio cases so far this year. Sindh has reported six infections, while Punjab and Gilgit Baltistan have each recorded one case.

The clustering of cases in the northwest underscores the challenges faced by health authorities in reaching every child. The virus continues to circulate in areas where vaccination drives are hampered by security threats and accessibility issues.

With 24 cases already confirmed in 2025, the resurgence of polio remains a pressing public health concern. While most provinces have reported low case counts, the persistent spread in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa signals the urgency for enhanced immunisation efforts and improved outreach to remote communities.