Khyber Polio Case Takes Pakistan Tally to Eight in 2026
Pakistan confirmed its eighth polio case of 2026 on Sunday, 1 November. The National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication confirmed the case, and the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme said the child is a 13-month-old girl from Union Council Janbaz-B in Bara tehsil, Khyber district.
The case is the second reported from Khyber district this year. It is also the sixth case reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2026. Health officials said the confirmation comes just days before the next subnational vaccination campaign, which starts on 2 November.
What health officials said about the case
The programme said polio is a highly contagious disease that has no cure and can cause lifelong paralysis. It added that safe and effective vaccines can prevent it, and that polio vaccines have been used safely in 195 countries, including all Muslim-majority countries.
“The case is a reminder of the importance of vaccinating every child,” the programme said in its statement. It urged parents to make sure all children under five receive the oral polio vaccine in the campaign from 2 to 8 November and in later campaigns.
The programme added that no child will be safe from polio until all children are vaccinated and protected across the country on a consistent basis. That warning carries weight in Khyber, because this is the district’s second case of the year and the province’s sixth.
A campaign that reaches Khyber within days
The timing gives parents in Khyber a direct chance to act. The 2-8 November round will cover nearly 24 million children in 97 districts, including Khyber. Pakistan and Afghanistan will run the round at the same time, with close cross-border coordination.
Feature Pakistan earlier reported on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa drive planned for November, which covers 4.8 million children under five in the province. The national round now adds to that effort, and it puts vaccinators into the same district where the new case was found.
Pakistan has already run four large-scale polio campaigns in 2026. Those campaigns protected more than 45 million children several times over. Smaller targeted campaigns also gave oral and injectable vaccines in high-risk areas, including the Peshawar Block.
The subnational campaign in September protected more than 29.3 million children across the country. Health officials hope the November round will build on that reach, especially in districts where the virus is still circulating.
Why the Peshawar Block remains a concern
Overall wild poliovirus transmission has declined this year, according to the programme. The Peshawar Block, which covers Khyber and Peshawar districts, still shows a risk that officials cannot ignore.
The block has reported positive environmental detections, which show the virus is circulating. Those findings mean children in the area face a continued risk, even when case numbers for the country as a whole look lower.
The Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative has started a case investigation. It is studying the best science-based response to stop further transmission. That response includes targeted vaccination work and support to strengthen routine immunisation.
Routine immunisation matters because campaign rounds alone cannot close every gap. Children who miss a round, or who move between districts, need a regular service that can catch them. The investigation will help officials decide where that support is most urgent.
What parents need to do
Parents should check that every child under five in the household receives the oral polio vaccine in the 2-8 November campaign. They should also keep the child’s routine vaccination record up to date at their nearest health facility.
Families in Khyber and Peshawar should pay close attention to the campaign dates and ask local health workers where teams will be present.
Frequently asked questions
Where was the new polio case reported?
The case was reported from Union Council Janbaz-B in Bara tehsil, Khyber district, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The affected child is a 13-month-old girl.
How many polio cases has Pakistan reported in 2026?
Pakistan has reported eight polio cases in 2026 so far. Two of those cases are from Khyber district, and six are from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
When does the next vaccination campaign start?
The next subnational campaign runs from 2 to 8 November. It aims to protect nearly 24 million children in 97 districts, including Khyber.
Can polio be cured?
No. Polio has no cure and can cause lifelong paralysis. Safe and effective vaccines can prevent it, which is why health officials urge parents to vaccinate every child under five.
Why is the Peshawar Block still a concern?
The Peshawar Block, covering Khyber and Peshawar districts, has reported positive environmental detections. Those detections show the virus is still circulating, so children in the area face a continued risk.
