Poliovirus Traces Found in Sewage of 12 Districts

News Desk

Islamabad: As Pakistan continues its robust poliovirus surveillance, 15 environmental (sewage) samples collected from 14 districts between February 17 and February 26 were tested at the polio lab at the National Institute of Health (NIH).

The lab confirmed the presence of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in sewage samples from Multan, Bahawalpur, Lahore, DG Khan, Kasur, Dera Bugti, Lasbela, Quetta, Sibi, South Waziristan Lower, Charsadda, and Swabi.

However, samples from DI Khan, South Waziristan Lower, and North Waziristan tested negative for poliovirus.

Pakistan’s polio surveillance system is among the most comprehensive globally, with the largest and most sensitive detection mechanism.

The programme has significantly expanded its environmental surveillance sites from 65 in 2021 to 127 in 2025. This expansion enhances the ability to detect poliovirus in sewage and identify cases even in remote areas, ensuring no transmission goes unnoticed.

To curb the spread of the virus, authorities have implemented a rigorous vaccination schedule. Since September 2024, high-quality campaigns have contributed to a decline in polio cases nationwide.

In February, a nationwide polio immunization campaign successfully vaccinated over 45 million children, while supplementary fIPV-OPV campaigns were conducted in Karachi and Quetta blocks to enhance immunity.

The second phase of the fIPV-OPV campaign is currently underway in Karachi and will continue until March 16, covering 59 union councils. Additionally, a targeted vaccination drive was conducted in the last week of February across 104 union councils bordering Afghanistan or hosting Afghan refugee populations, immunizing over 0.67 million children. This initiative aims to reduce the risk of cross-border and internal virus transmission.