KARACHI: A new polio case has been reported in Karachi’s District East, raising the total number of cases reported across Pakistan this year to seven and renewing concerns over efforts to eradicate the crippling disease.
According to data released by the National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), five of the seven cases reported in Pakistan in 2026 have been recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while the remaining two are from Sindh.
Karachi’s previous reported polio case was recorded in December 2024, according to the information provided.
Health experts stress that although polio has no cure, the disease can be prevented through timely vaccination. They urge parents to ensure that their children receive polio vaccine drops during every nationwide immunisation campaign.
Nationwide Polio Vaccination Campaign Scheduled for November
The National Emergency Operations Centre has announced plans for a nationwide polio vaccination campaign from November 2 to 8, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to prevent the spread of the virus.
The campaign will cover 97 districts across the country, including all districts of Karachi. Its primary target is to administer polio vaccine drops to more than 23.9 million children under the age of five.
Health authorities and experts have urged parents to actively participate in the national campaign and ensure that all eligible children receive the required vaccine doses.
They have also emphasised the importance of completing children’s routine immunisation schedules on time to provide broader protection against vaccine-preventable diseases and help safeguard future generations from preventable disabilities.
