Pakistan Confirms Sixth Polio Case of 2026 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
A seven-year-old boy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the latest victim as Pakistan intensifies its polio vaccination efforts.
Sixth polio case reported in Pakistan this year.
Affected child is a seven-year-old boy from Khyber district.
Nationwide vaccination campaigns have reached over 45 million children.
On October 6, 2026, Pakistan's National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) for Polio Eradication announced the confirmation of the country's sixth polio case this year. The latest case involves a seven-year-old boy from the Khyber district in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
The NEOC has initiated a thorough investigation into this case and is implementing additional vaccination strategies in regions identified as high-risk. This includes both oral and injectable polio vaccines, as well as enhanced routine immunization efforts to curb the spread of the virus.
Of the six polio cases reported in Pakistan in 2026, five have been identified in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Despite a general decline in poliovirus transmission across the country since 2025, KP continues to experience persistent transmission rates, prompting urgent action from health authorities.
This year, Pakistan has executed four nationwide polio vaccination campaigns, successfully immunizing over 45 million children multiple times. In addition to these campaigns, targeted vaccination efforts have been conducted in high-risk areas to ensure comprehensive coverage and protection against the virus.
The NEOC has emphasized the importance of ongoing polio campaigns throughout the nation. They are urging communities, religious leaders, and media representatives to assist in promoting vaccination and combating misinformation surrounding the polio vaccine, as part of a collective effort to eradicate the disease in Pakistan.
