The Sindh Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has reported a new polio case in Karachi East District. The case involves a six-month-old child who tested positive for poliovirus in Jamali Colony Union Council, District East. The EOC said the national total for 2026 has reached seven, with five cases in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and two in Sindh.
Chief Minister orders a probe
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah took serious notice of the case on Tuesday, October 20, and convened an emergency meeting. Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah and Health Secretary Tahir Sangi attended the meeting. The Chief Minister directed the Health Department to investigate every aspect of the case, identify the likely source of the virus and establish how the infection occurred.
He also ordered immediate response measures in the affected area, including comprehensive sweeping, and stressed strict adherence to polio eradication protocols. The Chief Minister said he was concerned that the case was detected despite sustained government efforts to eradicate the disease, and he asked for a detailed report on the circumstances. Officials were told to contain the virus and prevent further transmission.
Vaccination drive next month
The EOC said polio is an incurable disease, but it can be prevented through vaccination. A Sub-National Polio Vaccination Campaign is scheduled from 2 to 8 November 2026 in 97 districts across the country, including all districts of Karachi. More than 23.9 million children under five are to be vaccinated during the drive.
The EOC urged parents to make sure their children receive polio drops during every campaign and complete the full immunisation course on time. It also called on all sections of society to support efforts to eradicate the disease.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- December 2024: The last earlier polio case reported from Karachi, according to the Sindh EOC.
- October 19, 2026: The Sindh EOC reports a new case in Karachi East District, and the national total for 2026 reaches seven.
- October 20, 2026: Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah takes notice, convenes an emergency meeting and orders an investigation.
- 2 to 8 November 2026: The Sub-National Polio Vaccination Campaign is scheduled across 97 districts.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Karachi East mein chhe mahinay ke ek bache mein polio ka virus mila hai, aur Sindh ke Chief Minister ne is ki tehqiqat ka hukm diya hai. Health department ab pata laga raha hai ke virus kahan se aaya aur infection kaise hui. Pakistan mein is saal ab tak saat polio case report ho chuke hain. Agar ghar mein paanch saal se kam umar ka bacha hai, to 2 se 8 November ki campaign mein polio drops zaroor dilwayen.
