The detection of poliovirus in sewage samples across Pakistan has raised serious concerns for public health authorities. According to official sources, a total of 127 sewage samples from across the country were sent to the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad for laboratory testing. Results confirmed the presence of poliovirus in 40 samples, while 87 samples tested negative.
In the federal capital Islamabad, one sewage sample tested positive for poliovirus, while four samples were reported negative. The highest number of positive samples—23—were reported from the province represented by Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal. Punjab recorded six positive sewage samples, while poliovirus was detected in eight samples from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In Balochistan, two samples tested positive. However, samples collected from Azad Jammu and Kashmir as well as Gilgit-Baltistan were found to be free of the virus.
In response to the ongoing threat, the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) announced that the first nationwide polio vaccination campaign of 2026 will be held from February 2 to February 8. During the seven-day campaign, more than 45 million children across the country will be administered polio drops. Over 400,000 polio workers will participate to ensure maximum coverage and protection for children against the crippling disease.
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