Afghanistan reports four new wild poliovirus cases

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported four new cases of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in Afghanistan, bringing the country’s total for 2026 to 19 cases. The new cases were identified in the Herat, Paktika, and Kandahar provinces.

In the broader Eastern Mediterranean region, Afghanistan accounts for 19 of the 22 confirmed WPV1 cases reported this year, while Pakistan has reported three. Environmental surveillance indicates continued circulation of the virus in both nations, with Afghanistan recording 58 WPV1-positive environmental samples so far in 2026.