Pakistan reports nine polio cases this year as genetic testing links recent infections and environmental samples to poliovirus originating in Afghanistan.
The spread of poliovirus from Afghanistan into Pakistan has raised fresh concerns among health authorities after Afghanistan reported 50 cases of the crippling disease this year, compared with nine cases recorded in Pakistan.
Health officials have warned that cross-border transmission is contributing to the continued circulation of poliovirus in Pakistan, complicating efforts to eliminate the disease.
According to health authorities, between 40% and 50% of the polio cases reported in Pakistan over the past two months have been genetically linked to Afghanistan. The findings highlight the cross-border dimension of the ongoing public health challenge.
Genetic testing has also confirmed that all three polio cases reported in Khyber district are linked to poliovirus originating in Afghanistan.
Authorities have additionally identified the return of deported Afghan nationals through illegal crossing points as a major potential risk factor for the spread of the virus. Officials fear that undocumented cross-border movement could make vaccination, disease monitoring and containment efforts more difficult.
The presence of Afghan-origin poliovirus has also been detected in environmental surveillance samples. Health officials revealed that 29 sewage samples collected from different parts of Pakistan tested positive for poliovirus originating in Afghanistan.
Environmental surveillance plays an important role in identifying the circulation of poliovirus, including in areas where no human cases have yet been reported. The latest findings indicate that the virus continues to circulate in multiple locations despite ongoing eradication efforts.
Several parts of Pakistan, including Karachi, Jamshoro, Rawalpindi and Multan, have also reported the presence of Afghan-origin poliovirus, raising concerns about the geographical spread of the infection.
The latest developments have renewed questions about the challenges facing Pakistan’s polio eradication programme, particularly the need for effective cross-border disease surveillance and coordinated vaccination efforts.
Polio is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects children and can cause permanent paralysis. There is no cure for the disease, but vaccination can provide effective protection against infection and its potentially devastating consequences.
Health authorities have stressed the importance of ensuring that all children receive the recommended polio vaccine doses. They have also highlighted the need to strengthen environmental surveillance, improve vaccination coverage and coordinate disease-control measures across borders.
With poliovirus continuing to circulate in both countries, sustained vaccination campaigns and effective monitoring remain essential to preventing further infections and protecting children from the disease.
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