The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported eight new cases of polio in Afghanistan, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country since the beginning of 2026 to 50.

In a report published on Saturday, November 14, the organization said the new cases were recorded in the provinces of Helmand, Baghlan, Nangarhar, Farah and Kandahar during the week ending November 1.

Of the eight cases, three were reported in Helmand’s Nahr-e Saraj, Baghran and Kajaki districts, two in Dahana-e Ghori district of Baghlan, and one each in Surkh Rod district of Nangarhar, Farah city and Spin Boldak district of Kandahar.

During the same week, 16 environmental samples tested positive for polio in sewage systems in Nangarhar, Helmand, Kandahar, Kabul and Paktika provinces. This brings the total number of positive environmental samples in Afghanistan this year to 109.

The WHO also reported one human case and 11 positive environmental samples in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces during the week ending November 1.

In the week ending November 8, Pakistan recorded another human case in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and three positive environmental samples in Karachi and Quetta. The total number of confirmed human cases in Pakistan has reached nine, while positive environmental samples have risen to 151.

Meanwhile, no human or environmental cases of polio were reported in Afghanistan during the week ending November 8.

Afghanistan and Pakistan remain the only countries in the world where polio has not been eradicated. In 2025, Afghanistan recorded 21 human cases, while Pakistan reported 31.