KABUL, Aug. 16, 2026: Health authorities in eastern Afghanistan have confirmed six new wild poliovirus cases over the past month, raising fresh concerns about continued transmission of the disease in the region.
The infections were detected in Bati Kot, Behsud, Rodat and Chaparhar districts and Jalalabad city in Nangarhar province. An additional case was reported in neighboring Kunar province, according to Nangarhar’s provincial public health department.
Officials said the recent increase is linked mainly to the large-scale return of Afghan refugees from Pakistan, which has created additional challenges for vaccination and disease-control efforts.
In response, health authorities have intensified polio vaccination campaigns in the affected provinces in coordination with international partners. The campaigns aim to reach children who may have missed vaccination doses and limit further transmission.
Afghanistan and Pakistan remain the only two countries where wild poliovirus transmission continues, making cross-border movement an important concern for eradication programmes.
Polio can cause permanent paralysis, particularly in children who are not adequately vaccinated. Health experts continue to emphasize vaccination as the most effective way to prevent the disease.
The latest cases underline the need for strong vaccination coverage, disease surveillance and coordination among health authorities, particularly in communities affected by population movement.
