Islamabad, 19 October 2026 – The National Emergency Operations Center for Polio Eradication (NEOC) has confirmed the seventh polio case of 2026 for Pakistan from Karachi East District in Sindh, underscoring the urgent need for consistent vaccination to keep children safe from a paralytic disease that has no cure, but can be safely prevented through vaccines.

The affected child is a six-month-old male from Union Council Jamali Colony of Karachi East. The case was reported through the polio surveillance network and confirmed by the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad. 

A comprehensive case investigation has already been launched. The Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) is already analyzing the best science-based response to tackle and prevent further transmission, including targeted vaccination activities and support to strengthen routine immunization.  

The last case from Karachi was reported in December 2024.

Despite an overall decline in wild poliovirus transmission, the Karachi has continued to report environmental detections throughout the year, indicating that ongoing transmission remains a real threat for children.

Thanks to polio vaccines—which are safe and effective—Pakistan has reduced polio cases by 99.8 percent, from an estimated 20,000 cases in the early 1990s to 31 in 2025, and 7 so far this year.  Of this year’s 7 reported cases, five are from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (four from southern KP alone) and two are from Sindh.

In 2026, Pakistan has already implemented four large-scale polio campaigns, protecting more than 45 million children multiple times, alongside smaller targeted oral and injectable vaccination campaigns in high-risk areas. In September, a subnational campaign protected over 29.3 million children across the country, while the next vaccination round is scheduled from November 2-8 to protect nearly 24 million in 97 districts, including all districts of Karachi.

Polio is a highly contagious and incurable disease that can cause lifelong paralysis and, in some cases, death. It can, however, be prevented through safe and effective polio vaccines, which have been used safely in 195 countries, including all Muslim-majority countries. 

Polio eradication is a collective responsibility. Pakistan’s dedicated frontline workers continue to bring vaccines to children at their doorsteps, while parents and caregivers play a crucial role by ensuring their children receive all recommended doses, including routine immunizations. The PEI urges all parents and communities to ensure that all children under five receive the protective polio vaccine in every round.  

Communities, religious leaders, and the media also have a vital role to play in promoting vaccination, countering misinformation, and ensuring every child is reached. Together, we can build a healthier Pakistan for all and achieve a polio-free future for every family, regardless of social or economic status, no matter where they live or who they are. 

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Note for the Editor:

Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by poliovirus mainly affecting children under the age of five years. It invades the nervous system and can cause paralysis or even death. While there is no cure for polio, vaccination is the most effective way to protect children from this disease. Each time a child under the age of five is vaccinated, their protection against the virus is increased. Repeated immunisations have protected millions of children from polio, allowing almost all countries in the world to become polio-free, besides the two endemic countries of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

For further information, please contact: Mr. Syed Farhan Shah, Public Relations Officer, NEOC, +923165011808, syed.farhanshah1990@gmail.com