Pakistan reports first polio case of 2026 amid ongoing eradication challenges

Pakistan has reported its first polio case of 2026 in Sindh’s Sujawal district, involving a four-year-old child who had received full routine immunisation. Health officials confirmed that the child contracted a non-paralytic form of poliovirus, showing no visible symptoms such as paralysis, which has raised concerns about silent transmission of the virus in the country.

According to laboratory analysis, the virus detected in the child was genetically linked to environmental samples collected from Hyderabad, indicating continued circulation in parts of Sindh. Experts say this highlights a major challenge in Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts, where infections can spread unnoticed through asymptomatic cases and contaminated environments.

Pakistan remains in what health authorities describe as the “last mile” of polio eradication. Despite repeated nationwide vaccination campaigns and improvements in surveillance, the virus persists in pockets of under-immunised populations, particularly in urban slums, mobile communities, and remote rural areas.

Pakistan Shifts Gas from CNG Sector to Power Sector Amid Electricity Crisis

Officials estimate that Pakistan must achieve at least 95 percent vaccination coverage to fully interrupt transmission. However, gaps in routine immunisation, vaccine refusals, and misinformation continue to hinder progress. Environmental surveillance has also repeatedly detected poliovirus in sewage systems, especially in densely populated cities such as Karachi, suggesting ongoing silent transmission.

Frontline health workers continue door-to-door vaccination drives across the country, often facing logistical challenges, security concerns, and public resistance rooted in mistrust and misinformation. Despite these efforts, experts warn that even small gaps in coverage can allow the virus to resurface.

Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the only two countries where wild poliovirus is still endemic, and both nations coordinate vaccination efforts to reduce cross-border transmission. Health authorities say sustained efforts, improved trust, and stronger routine immunisation systems are essential to achieving complete eradication.