Two New Polio Cases Reported in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has confirmed two new polio cases in 2025, with both incidents reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, raising concerns over vaccination outreach and local resistance in vulnerable areas.

Health authorities revealed that the most recent cases originated from the Bannu and Lakki Marwat districts. In Lakki Marwat, a 26-month-old girl was confirmed to have the poliovirus. She lives in Union Council Bakhmal Ahmad Zai, situated in Sarai Naurang tehsil. Officials reported that the child started showing symptoms of paralysis on April 22.

The second case involves a 40-month-old boy from Union Council Sain Tanga, part of the Wazir sub-division in Bannu district. He reportedly showed symptoms consistent with polio starting May 1.

Sources familiar with the matter stated that no comprehensive polio vaccination campaign has been conducted in UC Sain Tanga since October 2023, highlighting a gap in immunisation efforts. Officials cite local resistance and mistrust as major challenges, with many families refusing to allow health workers to administer polio drops to their children.

The resurgence of polio in these districts underscores the ongoing struggle to eliminate the virus in regions where misinformation, security concerns, and community hesitancy hamper national eradication efforts.