Pakistan reports ninth polio case this year in Khyber district
The National Emergency Operations Centre confirmed a new polio infection in Khyber district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, bringing the 2026 national total to nine cases.
New case details and location
Health officials identified the infected child as a seven-month-old boy living in Mastak union council. This specific infection is the third recorded instance within Khyber district for the current year. The seventh case from the broader Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province highlights ongoing transmission risks in the region.
Virus origin and cross-border link
Genetic testing shows the poliovirus found in these cases connects directly to an outbreak occurring in Afghanistan. Authorities note that fifty cases have been reported in Afghanistan so far this year. The statement emphasizes that the virus continues to circulate across the border between the two nations.
Current vaccination efforts and status
Pakistan remains one of only two countries globally where polio is still considered endemic alongside Afghanistan. Government agencies are urging consistent vaccination during simultaneous campaigns running in both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Officials warn that transmission has not stopped completely until every child receives protection.
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