New Polio Case Reported in Nangarhar After Three-Month Lull
Afghanistan’s Minister of Public Health, Noor Jalal Jalali, has confirmed a new case of polio in Nangarhar province—the first such case in three months—despite nationwide vaccination efforts. He made the announcement during a public awareness event in Kabul titled “Polio and the Role of Media for Journalists and Spokespersons of Sectoral Institutions.”
The minister also stated that only nine cases of polio have been recorded across the country this year, a decrease compared to the previous year. He warned that eastern regions, which have historically seen more cases, remain at risk. Jalali emphasized the importance of public awareness campaigns, particularly in remote districts and villages.
Representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, also present at the event, underscored the need for joint cooperation between Afghanistan and Pakistan. They called for improved access to vaccination for children in remote areas and reaffirmed their agencies’ commitment to supporting the global campaign to eradicate polio.
Dr. Khushhal Zaman, WHO representative in Afghanistan, warned that as long as polio remains in Afghanistan and Pakistan, there is a persistent risk of the virus resurging. Likewise, Ali Salat Saberi, UNICEF’s representative in the country, stressed the organization’s commitment to ensuring every child receives the vaccine and to building public trust through collaborative efforts.
The health ministry added it has conducted nine rounds of polio vaccination campaigns so far this year, with the latest scheduled for next week. Globally, health leaders and international organizations have pledged $1.9 billion at a summit in Abu Dhabi to accelerate efforts toward the complete eradication of polio.
Despite these initiatives, health experts and civil society activists warn that ongoing social restrictions and insecurity—especially under Taliban governance—pose serious obstacles to fully eradicating polio. They urge the Taliban administration to allow health workers to operate freely and ensure unimpeded access to households throughout the country.
