WHO extends polio travel measures for Pakistan and Afghanistan
WHO's emergency committee recommended and the director-general endorsed a three-month extension of temporary international recommendations from August 21, 2026, after reviewing persistent wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) transmission in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The agency reported 57 WPV1-positive environmental samples in Pakistan so far in 2026 and four WPV1 cases this year (three in Afghanistan, one in Pakistan). WHO highlighted Karachi and southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as high-risk areas, noted encouraging but early Karachi programme improvements, warned that about 250,000 children in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remain unreached, and called for stronger cross-border vaccination and coordination.
WHO extended travel measures due to ongoing WPV1 transmission
Context
WHO has reviewed ongoing WPV1 spread in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The committee extended temporary measures because of continued transmission. The agency called for stronger cross-border vaccination and better access to high-risk areas.
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