Environmental monitoring has shown wild poliovirus in wastewater samples from 20 districts over Pakistan, officials said, although data suggests a decrease in the total virus circulation.
According to the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio -Exposure at the National Institute of Health (NIH), 60 samples were collected from 51 districts.
Of these, 25 positive tested, while 35 showed no presence of the virus.
The samples that confirmed the presence of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) came from districts including Dukki, Kech, Khuzdar, Lasbela, Loralai, Nasirabad, Pishin, Quetta, Usta Muhammad, Bannu, Kohat, Lakki Marwat, Peshawar, South Waziristan Lower, Lower, Bahawalpur, Kohat Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Lahore, Multan and Rahim Yar Khan.
Meanwhile, samples from cities such as Islamabad, Gilgit, Rawalpindi, Swat, Sahiwal, Nowshera and other negative and pointed to improved control measures in several areas.
“The trend shows a decrease in positive tests and a reduction in virus circulation in many areas,” said a NIH official.
Pakistan has only reported about six polio cases so far in 2025, down from 74 in 2024. Officials Credit -Redied Immunization Drives Since September last year.
A new nationwide polio campaign will begin on April 21 and target 45.4 million children under five. The authorities have called on parents to ensure that their children receive the vaccine every time it is offered.
“Repeated vaccination strengthens the immunity and helps stop the spread,” the official added. “No child should be left behind – protecting them from polio is a collective responsibility.”
