Islamabad: The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at Pakistan’s National Institute of Health has confirmed the 50th case of wild poliovirus (WPV1) in the country this year. The latest case was detected in a girl from the Tank district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, marking the second occurrence in this region.

According to United States Agency For International Development, genetic sequencing revealed that the virus in the recent case is linked to an earlier strain discovered in Tank in July. This year, the majority of cases have been reported from Balochistan with 24 cases, followed by Sindh with 13, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 11, and one case each in Punjab and Islamabad.

Tank, identified as a polio-endemic area, has reported multiple positive environmental samples this year, underscoring the persistent threat of poliovirus circulation. Health officials emphasize that while there is no cure for polio, vaccination remains the most effective protection.

The Polio Programme in Pakistan continues to administer vaccines directly to citizens’ homes multiple times a year. Health authorities urge parents to ensure their children participate in all vaccination drives to guard against the debilitating effects of the disease.