Pakistan Reports Sixth Polio Case of 2026 as Virus Re-emerges in Khyber DistrictHealth

The Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative has launched a comprehensive investigation into the case. Officials said additional response measures are being planned to reach and protect children, including a vaccination campaign administering both oral and injectable polio vaccines for older children, alongside efforts to strengthen routine immunisation.

<h2>Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains the hardest hit</h2> Five of Pakistan&#8217;s six polio cases in 2026 have been reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with four of them emerging from the Bannu division. The latest case surfaced less than a week after this year&#8217;s fifth case was detected on September 29, pointing to persistent transmission in parts of the northwest.

The developments come just as a weeklong sub-national polio campaign concluded on September 27, during which more than 28.2 million children were vaccinated across the country. Despite the massive turnout, officials acknowledge that severe security challenges continue to threaten eradication efforts in the northwest, and Bannu district remains a critical vulnerability where vaccinators struggle to reach every child.

Health experts stress that polio is a highly contagious and incurable disease that can cause lifelong paralysis and, in some cases, death — but it can be prevented through safe and effective vaccines. Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the only two countries in the world where polio is still endemic.

Provincial health authorities said a special vaccination drive would be launched in high-risk areas of Khyber following confirmation of the case, with teams focusing on children who may have missed doses during earlier campaigns. Routine immunisation strengthening, officials said, will remain central to the response.

Public health specialists note that each confirmed case is a reminder that the virus continues to circulate, and that consistent, full coverage of every child with multiple doses is the only way to stop transmission. The new case in a district untouched since 2019 underscores how quickly the virus can re-emerge where immunity gaps exist.

Parents are urged to ensure their children receive polio drops during every campaign, as repeated doses build the immunity needed to protect communities. Authorities have appealed for public cooperation with vaccination teams, particularly in areas facing security and access challenges.