ISLAMABAD, Tuesday, July 1, 2025 (WNP): The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) has confirmed the 14th case of polio in Pakistan this year, with the latest infection reported in North Waziristan, a high-risk district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to the Polio Reference Laboratory, the latest victim is a 19-month-old child, bringing the total number of polio cases in Pakistan to 14 in 2025. The provincial breakdown includes eight cases in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, four in Sindh, and one each in Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan.

In response, health authorities have announced a targeted vaccination campaign across 11 union councils of North Waziristan in an effort to prevent further transmission of the virus. The campaign is expected to mobilize thousands of frontline health workers and volunteers under tight security to reach every eligible child.

NEOC officials have reiterated calls for parental cooperation, urging families to ensure their children receive polio drops during every immunization round. Health experts also emphasized the importance of completing routine vaccinations on schedule to protect against polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

Despite significant progress in recent years, Pakistan remains one of only two countries in the world where the wild poliovirus remains endemic, alongside Afghanistan. Health officials warn that the virus can easily resurface in under-immunized communities, underscoring the need for continued vigilance, robust surveillance, and public engagement.

Polio eradication partners—including the Ministry of National Health Services, WHO, UNICEF, and GPEI—have renewed their commitment to supporting Pakistan in its efforts to eliminate the disease, calling the latest case a stark reminder that the battle against polio is not yet over.