Environmental surveillance has detected wild polioviruses in sewer samples of 20 districts across Pakistan, officials said, although the data suggests a drop in overall virus circulation.
According to the regional reference laboratory for the eradication of polio at the National Institute of Health (NIH), 60 samples were taken from 51 districts.
Among these, 25 were tested positive while 35 showed no presence of the virus.
The samples that confirmed the presence of type 1 wild poliovirus (WPV1) from districts such as Dukki, Kech, Khuzdar, Lasbela, Loralai, Nasirabad, Pishin, Quetta, Uta Muhammad, Bannu, Kohat, Lakki Marwat, Peshawar, South Wazirrist Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Lahore, Multan and Rahim Yar Khan.
Meanwhile, samples of cities like Islamabad, Gilgit, Rawalpindi, Swat, Sahiwal, Nowshera and others have been tested negative, pointing improved control measures in several areas.
“The trend shows a drop in positive samples and a reduction in the circulation of viruses in many areas,” said a NIH official.
Pakistan has reported only six polio cases so far in 2025, compared to 74 in 2024. The officials of the managers have improved vaccination readers since September of last year.
A new national polio campaign is expected to start on April 21, targeting 45.4 million children under the age of five. The authorities have urged parents to ensure that their children receive the vaccine whenever it is offered.
“Repeated vaccination strengthens immunity and helps stop propagation,” added the manager. “No child should be left behind – protecting him from polio is a collective responsibility.”
