Poliovirus Detected Again in Lahore Sewage Despite Vaccination Drive

LAHORE: Despite ongoing efforts to eradicate polio, the risk of the virus spreading in Lahore persists after poliovirus was once again detected in the city’s sewage, officials confirmed on Thursday.

According to health authorities, sewage samples collected at the end of 2025 tested positive for the virus. The virus was detected in samples taken from the Gulshan-e-Ravi and Outfall Road disposal stations. However, samples from the Multan Road and Mehmood Booty disposal stations tested negative.

The development comes shortly after the district administration concluded a seven-day polio vaccination campaign, during which all set targets were reportedly achieved. A total of 2,263,069 children were administered polio drops during the drive.

A closing meeting of the campaign was chaired by Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Polio Eradication Uzma Kardar and Deputy Commissioner Lahore Syed Musa Raza. The meeting was attended by the additional deputy commissioner general, CEO Health, assistant commissioners, and observers from the World Health Organization (WHO).

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The CEO Health informed participants that all campaign objectives had been met, while WHO observers expressed satisfaction with the performance of vaccination teams and noted a significant improvement in reaching children who had previously been missed.

Health officials said continued vigilance and sustained vaccination efforts remain critical to preventing the spread of the poliovirus in the city.