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Pakistan Reports First Polio Case of 2026, Underscores Ongoing Battle Against Virus
Pakistan’s polio case highlights ongoing virus circulation in high-risk areas despite vaccinating over 45 million children this year, with response planning underway to prevent further spread.
- On Thursday, NEOC confirmed Pakistan's first wild poliovirus case of 2026 in a four-year-old from Sujawal District, verified by the NIH reference laboratory.
- Facing persistent transmission, Pakistan remains one of the last two countries where polio is endemic alongside Afghanistan, with virus circulation in high-risk districts in Sindh and southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa despite reported vaccination refusals.
- This year, nationwide polio campaign protected over 45 million children and the next national campaign is planned for April, while in 2025 the PEI carried out five nationwide campaigns plus targeted rounds.
- The PEI said it will intensify efforts to leave no child behind and urged parents and caregivers to vaccinate children during every campaign while calling on communities, religious leaders and the media to counter misinformation.
- Despite steep declines, the country has reduced polio cases by 99.8% since 1994, but Pakistan and Afghanistan remain endemic countries requiring repeated oral polio vaccine doses for children under five.
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Pakistan Live News
Pakistan Live NewsNIH reference lab verifies case via surveillance network.Response planning begins to curb further transmission.Next nationwide vaccination campaign planned for April.Pakistan's National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication today...
Coverage Details
Total News Sources15
Leaning Left2Leaning Right4Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Right
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Right
50% Right
L 25%
C 25%
R 50%
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