The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that four new positive cases of poliomyelitis (polio) were recorded in three provinces of Afghanistan over the past week. With these new cases, the total number of reported polio cases in Afghanistan since the beginning of 2026 has risen to 11.
The World Health Organization released its weekly polio report on Wednesday, 24 Saratan (July 15). According to the report, two new positive cases were detected in Nangarhar Province, one in Helmand Province, and one in Herat Province during the past week.
According to United Nations data, only three positive polio cases have been reported in Pakistan since the beginning of this year, while Afghanistan has recorded 11 cases nearly four times higher than Pakistan’s figure.
Afghanistan and Pakistan remain the only two countries in the world where the poliovirus has not been completely eradicated. Although polio vaccination campaigns continue in both countries, the latest information from the World Health Organization indicates that the number of positive cases in Afghanistan has been increasing this year.
Health experts say restrictions on vaccination campaigns, particularly the suspension of house-to-house vaccination drives in many areas, are among the key factors contributing to the spread of the poliovirus.
According to official figures, 21 positive polio cases were recorded in Afghanistan and 31 cases in Pakistan in 2025.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
