First case of the year 2026: Polio case confirmed in North Waziristan, bringing total to 31

PESHAWAR: Another polio case has been confirmed in North Waziristan, a former FATA region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), bringing the total number of polio cases in Pakistan to 31 in 2026.

The case has been identified as wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1). Samples collected in December from a four-month-old girl in Union Council Spinwam-2 tested positive for the virus.

According to the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH), this is the fifth polio case reported from North Waziristan this year and the 31st nationwide.

Most polio cases in Pakistan this year have been reported from southern KP, which accounts for 17 of the 31 cases.

Health authorities attribute the continued circulation of the virus to persistent security challenges in North Waziristan and other southern districts of the province, resulting in limited and inconsistent access for vaccination teams and existing immunity gaps among children.

Authorities have urged individuals to ensure their children are vaccinated on time, adding that community cooperation, responsible media engagement and countering misinformation are essential to achieving a polio-free Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Sarah Hayat has directed the local administration of the Health Department to finalise all arrangements in a coordinated manner ahead of the upcoming National Immunisation Days (NIDs) polio campaign and ensure the achievement of vaccination targets across the district.

According to officials, the first polio vaccination round of the year will be conducted from February 2 to February 5, 2026, during which 257,229 children under the age of five will be administered polio drops to protect them from the crippling disease.

The directives were issued during a meeting attended by District Health Officer Dr Ali Ammar and officers from relevant departments. During the briefing, the Deputy Commissioner was informed that arrangements for the campaign, including the deployment and training of vaccination and supervisory staff, are in the final stages.

Deputy Commissioner Sarah Hayat emphasised that a comprehensive public awareness campaign must be completed across the district before the start of the vaccination drive, particularly targeting parents of children under five, to highlight the importance of preventive vaccination and ensure a safe and healthy future for their children.