Wild Poliovirus Detected in Seven More Districts Across Pakistan, Health Officials Urge Vigilance

“The refusal rate during the anti-polio campaign remains a constant challenge,” the EOC noted.

By DTD- On Jun 21, 2025

Islamabad: The Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme has confirmed the presence of wild poliovirus in environmental samples collected from seven additional districts, marking a concerning development in the country’s ongoing battle against the disease.

According to a report released by the Regional Polio Laboratory at the National Institute of Health (NIH) on Saturday, sewage samples collected between May 8 and May 23 tested positive for wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in Gwadar, Quetta, South Waziristan Lower, South Waziristan Upper, Rawalpindi, Larkana, and Mirpurkhas.

In a slight reprieve, environmental samples from Lahore and Pishin tested negative, offering a rare moment of hope amid a challenging nationwide surveillance campaign.

Health officials analysed nine sewage samples as part of their environmental surveillance efforts to track the virus in both urban and rural settings. The continued detection of poliovirus in sewage highlights what experts call “silent transmission” within communities — the virus spreading undetected, even in the absence of reported cases.

“Continuous detection of poliovirus in sewage confirms silent transmission of the virus in communities and reinforces the urgency of vaccination efforts,” a representative from the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) said.

Despite aggressive immunisation campaigns, Pakistan remains one of only two countries — alongside Afghanistan — where wild poliovirus remains endemic. So far in 2025, 12 polio cases have been confirmed: six in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, four in Sindh, and one each in Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The most recent case was reported in Bannu district, KP, where challenges in reaching remote and underserved populations persist. Officials cite difficult terrain and resistance in certain communities as major hurdles to effective vaccine coverage.

Vaccine hesitancy is also growing in urban areas. The EOC in Karachi reported that over 37,700 parents refused polio vaccines for their children during the May campaign — an increase from April’s already high number. Officials blame misinformation and lack of awareness as key drivers of this trend.

“The refusal rate during the anti-polio campaign remains a constant challenge,” the EOC noted. “Polio eradication requires ongoing support and cooperation from parents.”

Despite these challenges, health authorities have conducted three major national immunisation drives this year — in February, April, and May — reaching more than 45 million children with the help of nearly 400,000 frontline workers, including 225,000 female vaccinators.

Officials have pledged intensified efforts in high-risk union councils and are partnering with local leaders, religious scholars, and community influencers to build trust and combat vaccine misinformation.

Polio is a highly infectious disease that primarily affects children under five. It can lead to irreversible paralysis and even death. While there is no cure, immunisation remains the most effective way to prevent transmission.

“Pakistan has made significant progress in the fight against polio, but the presence of the virus in the environment is a reminder that the battle is far from over,” an NIH official said, urging parents to protect their children and support the national eradication effort.