The affected child is a resident of Union Council Nurar in Tehsil Meryan. Three of the four polio cases reported across Pakistan this year have emerged from the Bannu division.
NEOC officials said persistent security challenges have made it difficult for vaccination teams to maintain regular access to children in parts of the Bannu division. In Union Council Nurar, polio teams have been unable to regularly reach children since 2025.
Authorities said continued circulation of the poliovirus in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is linked to children who have missed vaccination, although overall transmission of the virus has declined across the country.
Pakistan reported 31 polio cases during 2025, according to the NEOC.
The next nationwide polio vaccination campaign will be held from September 21 to 27, during which around 31 million children will be administered polio drops.
Health authorities reiterated that the polio vaccine is safe and effective and has been used in 195 countries worldwide.