Polio Cases in Afghanistan Rise to 19, WHO Says
The World Health Organization says the number of confirmed polio cases in Afghanistan has risen to 19 since the beginning of 2026, after four new cases of type 1 poliovirus were recorded.
According to the latest report from the WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region, the new cases were registered in Herat, Paktika and Kandahar provinces. Two cases were identified in the Shindand and Adraskan districts of Herat, while one new case was reported in Dila district of Paktika and one in Arghistan district of Kandahar.
The report, covering the week ending August 16, shows that a total of 22 type 1 poliovirus cases have been confirmed in the Eastern Mediterranean Region in 2026. Of these, 19 were recorded in Afghanistan and three in Pakistan.
The World Health Organization also said the virus continues to circulate in Afghanistan and Pakistan. According to the report, 58 positive environmental samples have been recorded in Afghanistan and 118 in Pakistan since the beginning of this year.
According to last year’s figures, Afghanistan recorded 21 polio cases in 2025 and Pakistan 31. Afghanistan and Pakistan remain the only two countries in the world where wild poliovirus remains endemic.
