By Our Correspondent
ISLAMABAD, Sept 11: Pakistan has reported its fourth polio case of 2026, with the latest infection detected in Bannu District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the National Emergency Operations Center for Polio Eradication (NEOC) confirmed on Friday.
The affected child is from Nurar Union Council in Tehsil Miryan, where vaccination teams have faced security-related access restrictions since 2025. Three of the four polio cases reported this year have emerged from Bannu Division, highlighting continued transmission in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The government has urged parents and caregivers to ensure their children receive polio drops during the upcoming nationwide vaccination campaign scheduled for September 21 to 27.
Pakistan has made significant progress in the fight against polio, reducing cases by 99.8 percent from an estimated 20,000 in the early 1990s to 31 cases in 2025. However, health authorities warn that persistent transmission in high-risk areas remains a serious threat.
Authorities have stressed that vaccination, routine immunisation, strong surveillance and community support remain essential to achieving a polio-free Pakistan. Ends.
