Pakistan has confirmed a new case of wild poliovirus in Torghar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This brings the total number of polio cases in 2025 to 30. The latest case involves a 12-month-old boy from Union Council Ghari. This is the second confirmed case from Torghar district this year. Health officials verified the case at the National Institute of Health in Islamabad.
According to the Polio Eradication Programme, the virus is still circulating in parts of the country. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains the most affected, with 19 cases so far. Sindh has reported 9 cases, while Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan have one each. Experts warn that the virus spreads quickly among unvaccinated children.
Read more: Over 43 million children vaccinated in anti-polio drive
In September, 127 sewage samples were collected from 87 districts for testing. Of these, 44 samples tested positive for poliovirus. Sindh had the highest number of positive results, followed by KP, Punjab, and others. While most samples were negative, the positive ones show the virus is still active in high-risk areas.
To combat the threat, a nationwide vaccination campaign was launched last week. Over 44 million children were vaccinated across the country. A focused drive is also underway in south KP from October 20 to 23. These campaigns aim to protect every child under five with repeated doses of the oral polio vaccine.
Read more: Polio Cases in Pakistan Rise to 26 in 2025
Health officials urge parents to ensure children receive all polio and routine vaccinations. The Polio Eradication Initiative stressed that community support is essential. Teachers, religious leaders, and the media must counter misinformation. Together, they can help end polio in Pakistan and protect every child from lifelong paralysis.