Poliovirus: Poliovirus has been detected in sewage samples from 40 districts across Pakistan, according to test results from the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad. In a statement issued this week, the Pakistan Polio Eradication Program said environmental samples collected in December 2025 from multiple locations nationwide confirmed the presence of the virus in several areas.
A total of 127 environmental samples were collected from 87 districts, of which 40 tested positive for poliovirus while 87 samples were declared negative, the statement said.
Virus Circulation Declines, But Concerns Remain
While the continued detection of poliovirus in sewage remains a cause for concern, the program noted that overall trends indicate a decline in virus circulation compared to previous years. Pakistan reported 31 poliovirus cases in 2025, a significant reduction from 74 cases in 2024, reflecting the impact of sustained vaccination drives and enhanced surveillance measures.
Health authorities, however, warned that persistent environmental presence of the virus still poses a threat, particularly to children who miss vaccination doses.
Vaccination Gaps Persist in Sindh’s Hyderabad Region
Local media earlier reported that Hyderabad in Sindh province failed to achieve polio-free status in 2025, with over 12,000 children missing vaccination during the final nationwide campaign. According to official sources, 12,092 children under the age of five remained unvaccinated despite confirmed circulation of the virus.
Health officials said Hyderabad recorded the presence of Wild Poliovirus Type 1 (WPV1) for the 11th consecutive time in 2025, based on sewage samples collected in November. Authorities urged parents to ensure repeated doses of the polio vaccine and complete immunisation schedules to protect children from polio and other preventable diseases.
Next Nationwide Polio Drive in February 2026
The next nationwide anti-polio vaccination campaign is scheduled from February 2 to 8, 2026, targeting more than 45 million children under the age of five across Pakistan. Health officials emphasised that community cooperation and timely vaccination remain critical to eliminating polio from the country.