Polio cases increasing in Afghanistan and Pakistan (Credits: Canva)
\n\nNearly four decades after the world launched a mission to eradicate polio, the virus continues to circulate in two countries – Afghanistan and Pakistan. As the world marked World Polio Day on October 24, fresh figures offered a reminder of how difficult the final stretch of eradication has become. The two countries have reported 48 cases of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) so far in 2026, with Afghanistan accounting for the overwhelming majority.
\n\nAccording to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), Afghanistan has reported 42 cases this year, double the 21 recorded in 2025. Pakistan has reported 6, down from 31 last year. Together, the countries reported 52 cases in 2025, compared with 99 in 2024. The numbers show how uneven progress has been, with transmission becoming an increasingly pressing concern in Afghanistan.
\n\nPolio is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects children under 5 years of age. It spreads mainly through the faecal-oral route, often through contaminated water or food. Most infections do not cause obvious symptoms, but in a small proportion of cases, the virus attacks the nervous system and can cause irreversible paralysis. There is no cure…
Original source: https://www.timesnownews.com/lifestyle
