Travellers to Pakistan should be vaccinated against polio: WHO.—File photo

GENEVA: The World Health Organisation has warned countries that a 'dangerous' strain of polio has spread to China from Pakistan.

The UN health agency says a genetic link has been confirmed between wild poliovirus type 1 detected in China and a strain circulating in Pakistan.

It says there have been seven confirmed cases involving the WPV1 strain detected in China's Xinjiang province, which borders Pakistan, in the past two months.

WHO spokesman Oliver Rosenbauer says type 1 is more dangerous than type 3 because it is more likely to cause paralysis and spreads more easily. Type 2 polio has been eradicated.

The global health body says countries should strengthen their disease surveillance systems and travellers to Pakistan should be vaccinated against polio.

Opinion

Editorial

Budget presser
Updated 14 Jun, 2026

Budget presser

If the FBR falters, the government will find itself in hot water sooner rather than later.
Muharram precautions
14 Jun, 2026

Muharram precautions

WITH Muharram due to start next week, the authorities have already begun annual exercises to ensure that the ...
Blood bequests
14 Jun, 2026

Blood bequests

WORLD Blood Donor Day offers a moment of “gratitude, advocacy and renewed commitment” for thalassaemia patients...
Sustainable path?
Updated 13 Jun, 2026

Sustainable path?

The FY27 budget is the first clear signal that the government is ready to transition from stabilisation to growth.
Prioritising education
13 Jun, 2026

Prioritising education

THOUGH the improvement in the country’s literacy rate may be slight, as highlighted by the Economic Survey, it ...
Poverty’s rise
13 Jun, 2026

Poverty’s rise

AS attention turns to the government’s plans for the coming fiscal year, one set of figures deserves particular...