Pakistan reports fifth polio case of 2026 in Bannu

Pakistan has recorded its fifth polio case of 2026 following the detection of the virus in a 17-month-old girl in the Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) reported that four of the five cases identified in the country this year have been located within the Bannu division, with three specifically in the Bannu district.

This latest case comes as part of a broader trend of declining infections in the country. Reported cases dropped from 74 in 2024 to 31 in 2025, and currently stand at five for 2026. The NEOC noted that while transmission has declined overall, the virus continues to circulate in parts of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A recent nationwide anti-polio campaign concluded on September 27, during which more than 28.2 million children were administered oral polio vaccine (OPV) drops across 112 districts. Health authorities continue to urge parents to ensure children under five receive multiple doses of the vaccine and complete their routine immunization schedules to build immunity.