Afghanistan, 2 new cases of wild poliovirus 1 (WPV1)

It is hereby reported that a new instance of Wild Poliovirus (WPV1) has been confirmed in the Nahr-e-Saraj district of Hilmand province, Afghanistan, with a date of onset of 9 March 2025. The cumulative number of WPV1 cases for the year 2025 is currently 8, consisting of 2 cases from Afghanistan and 6 cases from Pakistan. In the preceding year, 2024, the total number of cases remained at 99, with 25 originating from Afghanistan and 74 from Pakistan. Furthermore, a new case of Infectious Wild Poliovirus (WPV1-ES) has been documented in the Kandahar district/province, with a date of onset of 23 February 2025. The total number of WPV1-ES cases in 2025 is presently 228, comprising 18 cases from Afghanistan and 210 from Pakistan, in comparison to 741 cases reported in 2024, which included 113 from Afghanistan and 628 from Pakistan. This information is according to the WHO EMR Polio Bulletin Issue No. 1385, Week 16, concluding on 20 April 2025.