disaster
Afghanistan: WHO EMR Polio Bulletin Issue No. 1445, Week 23 (ending on 14/06/2026)
By World Health Organization at ReliefWeb
· June 16, 2026
· 2 min read
Countries: Afghanistan, Djibouti, occupied Palestinian territory, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen . Wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) Cases: Two new WPV1 positive cases in 2026 from Afghanistan reported this week. The 2 new WPV1 cases are one each from: Kunar province (Nari district) and Hilmand provinc
Key takeaway The new reported WPV1 environmental sample is from Kyber Pakhtunkhwa province (Peshawar district), with collection date on 14th May 2026.
Why this matters
The recent report of two new wild poliovirus type 1 cases in Afghanistan highlights the ongoing challenges in eradicating the disease in the region. With a total of 52 WPV1-positive cases confirmed in 2025 and 9 cases reported in 2026, the situation remains a concern for global health authorities. The fact that one of the new cases in Afghanistan was identified through contact tracing underscores the importance of robust surveillance and monitoring efforts. The presence of WPV1-positive environmental samples in both Afghanistan and Pakistan also indicates that the virus is still circulating in these countries. As humanitarian organizations and health authorities work to respond to the situation, it is crucial to consider the broader context of access to healthcare and vaccination efforts in these regions. The continued reporting of vaccine-derived poliovirus cases in countries such as Somalia and Sudan also underscores the need for sustained investment in vaccination programs and disease surveillance.
About this story
Original reporting by ReliefWeb . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: disaster ·
Published: June 16, 2026 ·
Source: ReliefWeb ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Countries: Afghanistan, Djibouti, occupied Palestinian territory, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen . Wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) Cases: Two new WPV1 positive cases in 2026 from Afghanistan reported this week. The 2 new WPV1 cases are one each from: Kunar province (Nari district) and Hilmand provinc
When was this published? This article was first published on June 16, 2026 by ReliefWeb and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by World Health Organization at ReliefWeb. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more disaster coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .