In December 2025, a significant public health concern arose when 40 environmental samples tested positive for poliovirus across Pakistan. This alarming finding was reported by an official from the polio laboratory at the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad. During this month, a total of 127 sewage samples were examined from 87 districts nationwide. Out of these, 40 samples were identified as positive for poliovirus, while 87 returned negative results.
Breaking down the numbers further, the data revealed that from Balochistan, 23 samples were collected, with only two yielding positive results. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa contributed 34 samples, of which eight tested positive. Punjab's collection included 31 samples, resulting in six positives, whereas Sindh presented a concerning scenario with 23 out of six samples testing positive. In the federal capital, Islamabad, one of five samples was found to be positive. Interestingly, all samples from Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan returned negative results.
When asked about what constitutes a positive finding, the official clarified that detecting the virus in sewage indicates the presence of poliovirus in the environment, while any case of paralysis in a child attributed to the virus is also classified as a positive case. The analysis of sewage samples plays a crucial role in assessing the effectiveness of polio vaccination campaigns. Upon discovering positive samples, immediate action is taken to initiate polio eradication efforts in the affected regions.
It's important to recognize that the presence of the virus in sewage can occur in any city, particularly due to the high mobility of populations. This suggests that local vaccination campaigns may have fallen short of their targets, indicating a decrease in immunity among children in those areas, thereby heightening their vulnerability to polio.
The National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication, under the direction of the Pakistani government, conducted six vaccination campaigns in 2025, which included five nationwide and one focused subnational campaign, successfully reaching over 45 million children.
Looking ahead, the first nationwide polio vaccination drive for 2026 is scheduled from February 2 to 8, targeting all provinces, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Islamabad. The campaign aims to vaccinate more than 45 million children aged five and under.
To bolster immunity further, the government continues to offer free routine immunization services for all children up to two years old. Combining routine immunization with repeated polio vaccinations provides the most robust defense against polio and other preventable diseases. Parents and caregivers are strongly encouraged to ensure that children under five receive polio drops during every vaccination campaign to safeguard against potential lifelong disabilities.
