Poliovirus 'detected' in environmental samples from 26 districts

ISLAMABAD: Poliovirus has been detected in environmental samples collected from all four provinces of Pakistan, ARY News reported citing sources.

According to sources, this is the first time in 2025 that the virus has been found in environmental samples across the country.

Sources revealed that sewage samples collected from January 6 to 15 tested positive for poliovirus in 26 districts. The affected districts include 15 from Sindh, 5 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and 3 each from Balochistan and Punjab.

The detection of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in sewage samples is a worrisome, as it indicates the presence of the virus in the environment.

Earlier, it was reported that Pakistan will ‘launch’ first nationwide anti-polio campaign of 2025 from February.

As per details, the anti-polio drive will be launched from February 3 to 9. It will target over 4.54 million children across the country.

Sources privy to the development said that a three-day campaign with two additional catch-up days will be carried out in general areas of the country.

A five-day campaign followed by two catch-up days, featuring community-based vaccinations and deployment of special mobile teams in the sensitive areas, sources within NEOC said.

In 2024, Pakistan reported 73 polio cases and collected over 480 polio-positive sewage samples nationwide, underscoring the critical need for comprehensive vaccination campaigns.

Polio

Polio is a paralyzing disease that has no cure. Multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine and completion of the routine vaccination schedule for all children under the age of five is essential to provide children high immunity against this terrible disease.

The Pakistan Polio Program conducts multiple mass vaccination drives in a year, bringing the vaccine to children at their doorsteps, while the Expanded Program on Immunization provides vaccinations against 12 childhood disease free of charge at health facilities.

The year’s first Polio vaccination campaign is scheduled to be conducted nationwide from February 3- 9, 2025.

It is crucial for parents to ensure vaccination for all their children under the age of five to keep them protected.