ISLAMABAD, Nov 05 (APP):Pakistan has reported its ninth wild poliovirus case of 2026 from Khyber district, prompting health authorities to urge parents to ensure vaccination of all children under five during the ongoing nationwide campaign. According to the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) for Polio Eradication, the affected child is a seven-month-old boy from Mastak Union Council in Bara tehsil. It is the third case reported from Khyber district and …
Pakistan reports ninth polio case of 2026 from Khyber district
ISLAMABAD, Nov 05 (APP):Pakistan has reported its ninth wild poliovirus case of 2026 from Khyber district, prompting health authorities to urge parents to ensure vaccination of all children under five during the ongoing nationwide campaign.
According to the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) for Polio Eradication, the affected child is a seven-month-old boy from Mastak Union Council in Bara tehsil. It is the third case reported from Khyber district and the seventh from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) this year.
The poliovirus detected in all three cases from Khyber district has genetic linkages to Afghanistan, which has reported 50 cases this year, indicating continued cross-border transmission of the virus.
The NEOC emphasized that consistent vaccination was essential to protect children, particularly during the ongoing November 2-8 campaign, which is being conducted simultaneously in Pakistan and Afghanistan as part of coordinated cross-border eradication efforts.
The latest case highlights the continuing threat of poliovirus transmission, particularly in areas bordering Afghanistan. Despite an overall decline in cases, the Peshawar Block, comprising Khyber and Peshawar districts, and neighbouring southern KP districts have continued to report virus detections.
The Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) has launched a comprehensive investigation into the latest case and is assessing science-based measures to interrupt virus transmission.
A door-to-door vaccination campaign is currently underway in 97 districts, targeting nearly 24 million children. In addition, a targeted injectable polio vaccination campaign was conducted in 78 union councils of the Peshawar Block from October 26 to 31, protecting around 829,000 children up to the age of 10.
Further measures to strengthen children’s immunity are also under consideration, including the provision of essential health services and improved routine immunisation.
Pakistan has reduced polio cases by 99.8 per cent, from an estimated 20,000 in the early 1990s to 31 in 2025. Nine cases have been reported so far in 2026, including seven from KP and two from Sindh. Of the KP cases, four were reported from southern districts and three from Khyber.
Polio is a highly contagious disease that has no cure and can cause lifelong paralysis or even death. However, it is preventable through safe and effective vaccination.
The PEI urged parents and caregivers to ensure that all children under five receive polio vaccine drops during every campaign round, in addition to completing their routine immunisation schedules.
It also called upon communities, religious leaders and the media to promote vaccination, counter misinformation and support efforts to reach every child.
Frontline vaccination workers continue to deliver vaccines at household level, while public cooperation remains essential to achieving the goal of a polio-free Pakistan.
