Two new cases of polio virus have emerged from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, raising the total number of affected children in Pakistan this year to 52 as the country continues to witness a rise in paralysing disease despite eradication efforts

The health authorities confirmed the latest diagnoses, saying that the new cases were reported from KP’s Tehsil Darazinda in District Dera Ismail Khan. The two children affected by the disease are an 18-month-old boy and a three-year-old girl.

As per the latest stats, KP has so far reported 13 polio cases, while Balochistan remains the most affected region, with 24 cases.

In Sindh, 13 cases have been documented, while Punjab and Islamabad have each reported one case of polio this year.

Pakistan is one of the last two countries in the world where the wild poliovirus continues to spread. This persistence is largely attributed to obstacles such as insecurity, misinformation, and community reluctance, which hinder vaccination efforts.

Health authorities continue to stress the importance of vaccination campaigns to curb the spread of this preventable disease, which remains a significant public health challenge in the country.

The highly contagious viral disease predominantly affects children under five, particularly those with weak immunity or inadequate vaccination coverage.

The virus attacks the nervous system, potentially leading to paralysis or even death. While no cure exists for polio, vaccination remains the most reliable defence against this debilitating disease, according to health experts.