Fourth polio case of 2026 reported in Bannu, KP

The National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication (NEOC) confirmed the latest case on Friday.

The development has renewed concerns about the spread of wild poliovirus in southern parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where security challenges have affected vaccination activities.

The government-led Polio Eradication Initiative has urged parents and caregivers to ensure their children receive polio drops during the upcoming nationwide campaign.

The campaign is scheduled to run from September 21 to 27. Officials have also stressed that children should be vaccinated during every subsequent campaign to reduce the risk of lifelong disability.

Bannu child among latest polio cases

According to the polio programme, the affected child belongs to Nurar union council in Miryan tehsil of Bannu district.

Vaccination teams have reportedly faced difficulties reaching children in the area consistently since 2025 because of insecurity.

These access problems have left some children without regular protection against the virus. Health authorities say such gaps can allow wild poliovirus to continue circulating.

Three of Pakistan’s four reported polio cases this year have come from southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, making the region a major focus of concern for health officials.

The latest case highlights the difficulty of maintaining vaccination coverage in areas where security conditions restrict the movement of health workers.

Officials say reaching every child remains essential because even children who have missed only some vaccination rounds can remain vulnerable.

Polio programme urges parents to act

The Polio Eradication Initiative has called on parents and caregivers to cooperate with vaccination teams during the upcoming campaign.

The programme said repeated vaccination is necessary to protect children from the virus and prevent its spread.

“Thanks to the safe and effective polio vaccine, Pakistan has reduced polio cases by 99.8 per cent, from an estimated 20,000 cases in the early 1990s to 31 in 2025. So far in 2026, four cases have been reported, mostly concentrated in southern KP,” a statement issued by the polio programme said.

The statement added, “While overall poliovirus transmission in the country has declined since 2025, transmission remains persistent in southern KP.”

The programme also stressed the importance of maintaining surveillance and vaccination efforts across the country.

“This new case underscores the urgent need to maintain strong surveillance and vaccination efforts nationwide, because no child is safe from polio until every child is protected,” the statement said.

Why southern KP remains a concern

Southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has continued to face challenges in providing regular vaccination services.

Security-related restrictions have made it difficult for teams to reach some communities. As a result, children in certain areas may miss important vaccination opportunities.

Health officials believe these gaps are contributing to the continued circulation of wild poliovirus in the region.

The concentration of three cases in southern KP also shows why vaccination efforts need to remain active in areas where access is difficult.

Authorities face the challenge of protecting children while ensuring that health workers can safely carry out door-to-door campaigns.

The latest case is therefore not only a health concern but also a reminder of the effect that insecurity can have on essential public health services.

Pakistan’s progress against polio

Despite the latest cases, Pakistan has made major progress in reducing polio over the past several decades.

The polio programme said the country has reduced cases by 99.8 per cent compared with estimated levels in the early 1990s.

In 2025, Pakistan reported 31 polio cases. However, the virus has not been eliminated, and new infections continue to be reported in some areas.

Polio is a highly contagious and incurable disease that can cause permanent paralysis. In some cases, it can also lead to death.

The disease can be prevented through safe and effective vaccines. According to the polio programme, these vaccines have been used safely in 195 countries, including all Muslim-majority countries.

Health authorities continue to describe vaccination as the most effective way to protect children and stop transmission.

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Earlier cases reported in Sindh and KP

The first polio case of 2026 was reported from Sindh.

It involved a four-year-old child from Bello Union Council in Sujawal district.

The other two cases were reported from Bannu and North Waziristan. With the latest infection, the total number of cases reported in Pakistan this year has reached four.

The cases show that the virus remains a concern in more than one part of the country, although southern KP has recorded most of the infections so far.

Officials say continued surveillance is needed to identify infections quickly and understand where the virus is circulating.

Next campaign aims to reach 31 million children

Pakistan has already conducted three large-scale polio campaigns during 2026.

The next national campaign will take place from September 21 to 27. It aims to protect nearly 31 million children across the country.

Children in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will also be included in the campaign, despite the access challenges faced in some areas.

The success of the campaign will depend on the ability of vaccination teams to reach children and on the cooperation of parents and caregivers.

Health officials are urging families not to miss vaccination visits, as repeated doses help build stronger protection against polio.

The government’s broader goal remains the complete elimination of the virus from Pakistan.