First Polio Case of 2026 Reported in Sindh

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) confirmed the country’s first wild polio case of 2026 on Thursday. The case involves a four-year-old child from Bello Union Council in Sujawal district, Sindh. It was reported through the polio surveillance network and verified by the Regional Reference Laboratory at the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad.

The Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) is analyzing the best response to stop further virus transmission. Officials emphasized immediate and targeted actions in high-risk areas. Vaccination teams are being mobilized to prevent additional infections. The initiative continues to focus on leaving no child unvaccinated.

Since 1994, Pakistan has reduced polio cases by 99.8%, from an estimated 20,000 cases in the early 1990s to 31 cases in 2025. High-quality polio vaccination campaigns have been central to this success. The country remains committed to eradicating the disease entirely.

In 2026, Pakistan has already implemented a nationwide polio campaign protecting over 45 million children. The next national campaign is scheduled for April. In 2025, the PEI conducted five nationwide campaigns alongside targeted oral and injectable vaccination rounds. Integrated activities with routine immunization programs have strengthened overall coverage.

Read more : Pakistan Launches Nationwide Anti-Polio Drive 2025

Health officials noted that while polio virus detections have declined compared to 2024, circulation persists in some high-risk areas. These include districts of Sindh and southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Officials stressed the need for robust, consistent vaccination efforts in these regions.

Polio is highly contagious and incurable, potentially causing lifelong paralysis or death. However, vaccines are safe, effective, and have been used successfully in 195 countries. Vaccination remains the only way to prevent infection and protect children from lifelong disability.

The PEI urged parents, caregivers, communities, religious leaders, and the media to ensure every child receives vaccines during each campaign. Frontline workers, public cooperation, and awareness campaigns are crucial. Officials concluded, “Together, we can achieve a polio-free future for every child, in Pakistan and worldwide.”