Poliovirus detected in sewage from 18 Pakistani districts

Environmental samples from 18 districts in Pakistan have tested positive for poliovirus. These tests were done on sewage samples collected from 22 districts. The wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) was detected in areas including Islamabad, Lahore, and various districts in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Samples from four districts, Zhob, Sialkot, Multan, and Rahim Yar Khan, did not show any traces of the virus. Monitoring sewage samples helps officials determine how effective vaccination campaigns are at preventing the spread of polio. The Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme has increased its environmental surveillance sites significantly, from 65 to 127 since 2021. This allows for better detection of the virus and ensures that no cases go unnoticed, even in remote areas. The program is also preparing for a national vaccination campaign scheduled for April 21-27. It aims to vaccinate 45.4 million children under five years old. In the first three months of 2025, Pakistan has reported six cases of poliovirus following 74 cases in 2024.