ISLAMABAD – The threat of polio continues to loom large over Pakistan as 30 new environmental samples have tested positive for poliovirus, according to a recent report by the National Institute of Health’s Regional Reference Laboratory.
The samples, collected from 102 sewage sites across 69 districts, reveal that despite repeated vaccination drives, the virus remains active and widespread in key parts of the country.
Province-Wise Breakdown
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 4 positive, 23 negative samples
- Balochistan: 3 positive, 17 negative
- Punjab: 6 positive, 20 negative
- Sindh: 14 positive, 8 negative
- Islamabad: 2 positive, 3 negative
- Azad Jammu and Kashmir: 1 positive, 1 negative
Officials say these results indicate persistent virus circulation in both urban and rural regions, posing serious risks for unvaccinated children.
Vaccination Campaigns to Counter Spread
In response to the alarming data, the government has announced two large-scale immunisation drives:
- A National Immunisation Campaign from July 14 to 18, targeting over 158,000 children in Diamer and selected districts of KP
- A fractional IPV–OPV campaign from August 4 to 11, covering seven districts of Balochistan, with a target of around six million children
Continued Vigilance Needed
Pakistan remains one of only two countries in the world where wild poliovirus (WPV1) still exists. Health experts have repeatedly warned that environmental sample detection is a clear sign of ongoing community transmission.
Earlier this year, 47 samples tested positive in May alone, making it crucial for parents to ensure their children are fully immunised through repeated doses of OPV and IPV.
Obstacles to Eradication
Authorities continue to face multiple challenges in their fight against polio, including:
- Vaccine hesitancy and misinformation in remote areas
- Security concerns affecting the reach of vaccination teams
- Low awareness and delayed reporting of symptoms
The Road Ahead
Health officials are urging communities to cooperate fully during the upcoming vaccination rounds. The success of these drives could be critical in moving Pakistan closer to eliminating polio once and for all.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.