Shahzad Rasheed
The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication in Islamabad has confirmed Pakistan’s fifth polio case of 2026, reported from Bannu District in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
The affected child is a 17-month-old girl from Khandar Khankhel Union Council in Tehsil Domel, Bannu District.
Four of the five polio cases reported in Pakistan so far this year have been detected in Bannu Division, including three in Bannu District. The continued detection of poliovirus in southern KP highlights the need for sustained surveillance, vaccination and community engagement to prevent further transmission.
Pakistan has made significant progress in the fight against polio through sustained vaccination efforts. Polio cases have declined by 99.8 percent, from an estimated 20,000 cases in the early 1990s to 31 cases in 2025 and five cases so far in 2026.
Although overall poliovirus transmission has declined since 2025, transmission remains persistent in parts of southern KP, placing children in these areas at continued risk.
Polio is a highly contagious and incurable disease that can cause lifelong paralysis and, in severe cases, death. However, it is preventable through safe and effective vaccines. Polio vaccines have been used safely in 195 countries, including all Muslim-majority countries.
In 2026, Pakistan has conducted four large-scale polio vaccination campaigns, reaching more than 45 million children multiple times, in addition to smaller targeted oral and injectable vaccination campaigns in high-risk areas. A sub national campaign conducted last week reached more than 28 million children across the country.
Despite these efforts, continued detection of poliovirus demonstrates the importance of ensuring that every child receives all recommended doses of polio vaccine, alongside routine immunization.
Pakistan’s frontline polio workers continue to go door-to-door to vaccinate children, often working in challenging conditions to reach families in high-risk areas. Parents and caregivers can support eradication efforts by ensuring that their children receive every recommended dose of polio vaccine and complete their routine immunizations.
Communities, religious leaders, media organizations and other stakeholders also have a vital role to play in promoting vaccination, addressing misinformation and ensuring that no child is missed.
Polio eradication is a collective responsibility. By maintaining strong surveillance, strengthening vaccination efforts and working together to reach every child, Pakistan can protect its children from polio and move closer to a polio-free future.
