Pakistan has reported one polio case in 2026 so far, according to officials. The update was shared during a high-level meeting in Islamabad.
The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Officials briefed him on the country’s ongoing anti-polio efforts and progress.
According to the briefing, the one polio case was detected in Sajawal district. No other cases have been reported from across the country this year.
Officials highlighted a significant improvement in recent years. Pakistan reported 74 cases in 2024. The number dropped to 31 cases in 2025. Now, only one polio case has been confirmed in 2026 so far.
The report also showed progress in reducing affected areas. In early 2025, around 67 districts reported virus presence. This number has dropped to 23 districts in 2026.
Vaccination coverage has remained strong nationwide. Authorities said around 98 percent of households were reached during campaigns. This high coverage is helping control the spread of the virus.
Officials also shared improvements in key regions. Southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has seen better access for vaccination teams. This has reduced the number of children missing polio drops.
In the Quetta block, local virus transmission has declined. This marks an important step in the fight against polio.
Karachi has also shown encouraging signs. Out of 12 environmental samples tested in March, 10 showed no virus presence. This indicates reduced circulation in the city.
Authorities noted that no case has been reported in Dera Ismail Khan since September 2025. In Bannu, the number of highly affected union councils has dropped sharply.
The government is also working to improve coordination. Efforts are underway to align the Expanded Programme on Immunization with the Polio Eradication Initiative.
Officials are also linking social support programs with vaccination campaigns. This is expected to improve participation and outreach.
Despite progress, authorities stressed the need for continued efforts. Even one polio case remains a concern in the eradication drive.
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating polio completely. Ongoing campaigns and monitoring will continue across all regions.
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