New cases reported in Bannu and North Waziristan, posing continued risk to child well-being
The National Polio Eradication Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) on Friday confirmed two new cases of wild poliovirus in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The cases were reported in Bannu and North Waziristan, where access constraints continue to drive poliovirus transmission, posing an ongoing risk to children’s well-being.
Pakistan has reported three polio cases so far in 2026. Since the launch of the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) in 1994, Pakistan has reduced polio cases by 99.8%, from an estimated 20,000 cases in the early 1990s to 31 in 2025.
The two new cases were reported by the Poliovirus Surveillance Network and confirmed by the WHO-accredited Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Islamabad. The affected children belonged to Jani Khel union council of Bannu and Garyom union council of North Waziristan districts.
Read: First wild polio case of 2026 confirmed in Sindh
While overall poliovirus transmission in the country is declining, with cases falling from 74 in 2024 to 31 in 2025 and three so far in 2026, reflecting the impact of high-quality vaccination campaigns, circulation of the virus in southern KP persists.
These detections underscore the continued need for robust, targeted efforts to interrupt transmission and the importance of consistent childhood vaccination across the country. No child in Pakistan will be safe until all children are safe.
Prince Edward Island is already analyzing the best scientific response to reach and vaccinate children in this region and prevent further transmission of the poliovirus. Additionally, PEI is implementing alternative strategies in southern KP, including integrated delivery of health services such as nutrition, routine immunization, maternal and child health, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), as well as a community-based polio vaccination initiative to increase immunization rates and build immunity.
Polio is a highly contagious and incurable disease that can cause permanent paralysis and, in some cases, even death. However, the disease can be prevented with polio vaccines, which are safe and effective and have been used safely in 195 countries, including all Muslim countries.
Read also: Why 40,000 families in Karachi refused the polio vaccine
In 2026, Pakistan has already implemented two national polio campaigns that have protected around 45 million children, while the next campaign is planned in May to vaccinate almost 19 million children.
Polio eradication is a collective responsibility. While Pakistan’s dedicated frontline workers ensure every child is vaccinated, parents and guardians play a crucial role in ensuring their children receive all recommended doses, including routine immunizations. Prince Edward Island urges all parents and guardians to ensure their children are vaccinated during each campaign to protect them from permanent disability and/or death.
