The World Health Organization has warned that southern Afghanistan remains the primary epicentre of polio transmission due to low immunity levels among children and weak vaccination coverage.
According to official data from the organization, 25 cases of wild poliovirus type 1 have been recorded across Afghanistan since the beginning of the current calendar year. A total of 22 new cases were detected since the emergency committee's previous meeting in May.
In its latest report released on Friday, the WHO emergency committee highlighted the suspension of house-to-house vaccination campaigns and limited participation of female vaccinators as critical obstacles preventing eradication.
According to Afghanistan International, assessments show that polio infections have surged by 950 percent over the past five years following the Taliban's return to power, increasing more than tenfold.
Afghanistan reported 21 cases of wild poliovirus during the previous year. Meanwhile, neighbouring Pakistan has confirmed four polio cases so far during the current year.
The report also stated that 76 positive environmental samples of the poliovirus have been detected in Afghanistan since early 2026, distinct from human cases but highlighting high environmental contamination.
Source: World Health Organization and Afghanistan International
🌐
