Positive Polio Samples Detected in Sewage Across 20 Districts

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M. Waqar Bhatti

Islamabad: Pakistan’s polio eradication drive faces a serious challenge as recent sewage samples from 20 districts across the country have tested positive for wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1), the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH) confirmed on Friday.

These samples, gathered from 26 environmental surveillance (ES) sites, reflect ongoing virus circulation and the continued risk to children’s health nationwide.

The affected districts include Hyderabad, Lahore, Jamshoro, Karachi Central, Kambar, Islamabad, Karachi South, Rawalpindi, Pishin, Lakki Marwat, Mirpurkhas, Karachi East, Karachi Korangi, Noshki, Quetta, Zhob, Peshawar, DI Khan, Attock, and Mianwali.

Notably, Noshki and Mianwali have detected positive environmental samples for the first time, signaling a broader spread. Several of these districts have previously reported WPV1 detections either in sewage samples or in confirmed polio cases, classifying them as WPV1-infected areas.

With 43 reported polio cases this year, Pakistan has ramped up its efforts with a nationwide vaccination drive that started on October 28, aiming to reach over 45 million children under five. Health officials emphasize the importance of immunizing children with two drops of the oral polio vaccine (OPV) during this drive, which is vital for preventing paralysis and controlling virus spread.

The Pakistan Polio Programme has implemented extensive measures to ensure that every child in high-risk districts receives the OPV drops, as health officials reinforce the message to parents and caregivers about the critical role of vaccination. The programme aims to close immunity gaps by reaching children who may have been missed in prior campaigns, thus strengthening community resistance to the virus.

Highlighting the urgency of eliminating polio, health authorities call on parents to fully cooperate with vaccinators and support the campaign to bring Pakistan closer to becoming a polio-free nation.