Pakistan Reports First Polio Case in 2026, Highlighting Ongoing Threat

Islamabad – Pakistan has confirmed its first case of wild poliovirus infection in 2026, raising concerns about the continued risk of the crippling disease despite significant progress in eradication efforts. The case was identified in a four-year-old child from the Sujawal district of Sindh province, according to a statement from the National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication (NEOC) .

First Case Confirmed in Sindh Province

The infection was detected through the country’s polio surveillance network and confirmed by the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad . Health authorities are now working to assess the situation and implement measures to prevent further transmission.

Polio Eradication Efforts Continue

Despite this setback, Pakistan’s Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) maintains that complete eradication remains within reach. A nationwide polio campaign conducted earlier in 2026 successfully vaccinated over 45 million children, and another national campaign is planned for April . In 2025, the PEI implemented five nationwide campaigns, alongside targeted vaccination rounds and integration with the national routine immunization program.

Significant Progress, Persistent Challenges

Since 1994, Pakistan has made substantial strides in combating polio, reducing cases by 99.8% – from an estimated 20,000 cases annually in the early 1990s to 31 cases in 2025 . However, challenges such as vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and logistical difficulties in reaching remote areas continue to hinder complete eradication.

The Threat of Polio

Polio is a highly contagious viral disease that can cause lifelong paralysis and, in some cases, death. The Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) remains the most effective means of protection, requiring repeated doses for all children under five during each campaign, alongside completion of routine immunizations .

Ongoing Virus Circulation

While overall poliovirus detections have declined compared to 2024, the virus continues to circulate in high-risk areas, including districts of Sindh and southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa . This underscores the need for sustained, targeted efforts to interrupt transmission and ensure consistent vaccination coverage.

Pakistan, along with Afghanistan, remains one of the last two countries globally where polio is still considered endemic .