Poliovirus detected in environmental samples collected from 20 districts across Pakistan

• Earlier poliovirus "found" in nine Balochistan districts.
• 35 samples from 31 other districts tested "negative".
• Over 45mn kids to be administered polio vaccine drops.

KARACHI: The presence of the poliovirus has been confirmed in 25 environmental samples collected from 20 districts across the country, the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) said on Sunday.

The virus was detected in samples collected from Quetta, Khuzdar, Lahore, Multan, Nooriabad, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Bahawalpur, and several other districts. However, 35 environmental samples from 31 other districts tested negative for the virus, said the NEOC.

On the other hand, the Ministry of National Health Services earlier confirmed presence of poliovirus in environmental samples collected from Balochistan’s nine districts.

The department said poliovirus was found in samples collected from Quetta, Duki, Kech, Khuzdar, Lasbela, Loralai, Pishin, Nasirabad, and Usta Muhammad districts between March 5 and 19.

Despite the detection of the virus, the NEOC highlighted a significant reduction in the spread of polio and the number of cases, attributing this progress to ongoing polio vaccination campaigns.

To further combat the virus, a nationwide polio vaccination campaign is scheduled to take place from April 21 to 27. During this campaign, more than 45 million children across the country will be administered polio vaccine drops.

The NEOC has urged parents to ensure their children receive the polio vaccine, emphasising its importance in protecting them from this debilitating disease.

Pakistan reported its sixth poliovirus case of 2025 from Sindh's Thatta district on March 1, as confirmed by the Pakistan Polio Programme.

The National Institute of Health's (NIH) Regional Reference Laboratory had verified the case, marking the fourth polio case from Sindh this year. One was reported from Punjab, and another was reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa earlier.

In 2024, a total of 74 polio cases were reported across Pakistan, with Balochistan being the worst-hit with 27 cases, Sindh 23, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 22, and one case each from Punjab and Islamabad.

Pakistan is one of the two polio-endemic countries in the world, along with Afghanistan, and the number of cases every year had significantly dropped in the country until the spike in cases registered last year.

Polio is a paralysing disease with no cure, and the completion of the routine vaccination for all children under the age of five provides them high immunity against this terrible disease.