WHO Extends Pakistan Polio Travel Measures for 3 Months
WHO cites continued transmission and cross-border risk
Key Developments:
- WHO extends temporary polio measures for another three months
- South KP and Karachi remain key transmission areas
- About 250,000 children remain unreached in South KP
(The Nation) — September 29, 2026: The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended extending temporary international travel measures for Pakistan for another three months as wild poliovirus transmission continues in parts of the country and neighbouring Afghanistan.
The measures are linked to the continuing risk of international spread of poliovirus. Under the WHO recommendations, residents and long-term visitors in affected countries are required to receive a polio vaccination within the specified period before international travel and carry an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis. International travel may be restricted at the point of departure for residents who lack the required vaccination documentation.
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The WHO’s Polio IHR Emergency Committee said the continued transmission of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in Pakistan and Afghanistan remains a concern, particularly because population movement between the two countries can facilitate cross-border transmission.
The committee identified southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Karachi and southern Afghanistan among the key areas where transmission continues. It also reported that Karachi remains an important reservoir of poliovirus, while security and operational difficulties continue to affect vaccination activities in southern KP.
According to the WHO, around 250,000 children in southern KP are estimated to remain unreached by vaccination efforts, primarily because insecurity has restricted access to some communities.
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The WHO committee unanimously concluded that the international spread of poliovirus continues to constitute a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern”, while also stating that the situation “does not constitute a pandemic emergency.”
The organisation has called for stronger surveillance, improved vaccination coverage and closer coordination between Pakistan and Afghanistan, particularly in areas affected by population movement.
WHO also highlighted persistent gaps in immunisation coverage and vaccine access in some high-risk communities. It said uneven campaign quality, insecurity, population movement and vaccine hesitancy continue to create challenges for efforts to interrupt transmission.
At the same time, the WHO noted signs of progress in several areas of Pakistan. It reported improvements in programme quality in the Peshawar area and a decline in positive environmental samples in the Quetta block. The organisation said early improvements had also been observed in Karachi following implementation of recommendations from a programme audit, although local transmission continues.
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Pakistan has continued its vaccination efforts, including campaigns targeting children in high-risk areas. Government figures show that the country has reported four wild poliovirus cases in 2026, with three occurring in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Authorities have also continued campaigns aimed at reaching millions of children under five across the country.
CREDIT: Raja Imran Bahadr on Unsplash.
The WHO stressed that continued access to children, high-quality vaccination campaigns, effective surveillance and cross-border coordination will be necessary to interrupt transmission.
Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the only countries where endemic wild poliovirus transmission continues. The latest WHO assessment indicates that although transmission indicators have declined in some areas, remaining immunity gaps and operational challenges continue to require sustained eradication efforts.
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