The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication, Islamabad, has confirmed the fifth polio case of 2026 for Pakistan. The case was reported in Bannu District, Bannu Division, in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

Four of this year’s five cases have been detected in the Bannu Division, three of them in Bannu District. The affected child is a 17-month-old girl from Khandar Khankhel Union Council in Tehsil Domel of Bannu District.

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 5 so far this year. While overall poliovirus transmission in the country has declined since 2025, transmission remains persistent in southern KP.

This new case underscores the urgent need to maintain strong surveillance and vaccination efforts nationwide, because no child will be safe from polio until every child is vaccinated and safe.

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.

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. Last week, a subnational campaign protected over 28 million children across the country, but continued virus detections continue to pose a risk to children.

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.

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 achieve a polio-free future for every family and help build a healthier, stronger and more prosperous Pakistan.

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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