New polio case registered in Helmand; concerns about the continued spread of polio increased

The World Health Organization has announced that a new case of polio has been registered in Afghanistan; a matter that has increased concerns about the continued presence of the virus in the country.

According to a new report by the organization, the infected child was identified in Musa Qala district of Helmand province and symptoms of the disease appeared in him on April 2, 2026.

The World Health Organization said that with the registration of this event, the total number of positive polio cases in Afghanistan since the beginning of this year has reached four.

Also during this week, eleven positive environmental samples of the polio virus were registered in different parts of Afghanistan, indicating the continued circulation of the virus in the country.
Afghanistan and Pakistan are still the only countries in the world where polio has not been completely eradicated.

Health experts say that the displacement of families, limited access to health services and low awareness about the importance of vaccination are among the main factors that continue to spread the disease.

Polio is a dangerous viral disease that has no known cure, but can be prevented by vaccination.

Reporter Shahbanu Noori