WHO reports new polio case in Sar Kharod district, Nangarhar

The World Health Organization announced that a new polio infection has been identified in Sar Kharod district, Nangarhar province, with symptoms first appearing in early September. A second case was reported from Khyber district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, where symptoms started later in September. Mojtaba Sufi, a physician, argued that the existing strategy of concentrating vaccination teams in mosques or health centres is failing, as families often do not bring children for immunisation.

He advocated for a door-to-door vaccination model, which he says has previously helped control the disease. Abdulhaq Qazizade emphasized the lack of preventive measures in Afghanistan, especially in eastern and southern provinces, and called for increased public education. Seyed Sharif Hosseini added that timely administration of the two-dose vaccine and rapid medical attention for children showing paralysis are essential to curb the outbreak. The WHO report also noted that earlier this year the ministry had denied any confirmed polio cases, despite the recent findings.