Islamabad, Jan 18 (NationPress) Poliovirus has been identified in sewage samples from 40 districts throughout Pakistan, based on test results from the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health.

A statement released this week by the Pakistan Polio Eradication Program revealed that environmental samples were gathered in December 2025 from various locations nationwide, confirming the existence of poliovirus in multiple regions, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.

During this period, a total of 127 environmental samples were collected from 87 districts. Out of these, 40 samples tested positive for poliovirus, while 87 were negative, the statement noted.

While the ongoing detection of poliovirus in sewage is alarming, overall trends indicate a decline in virus circulation compared to previous years, showcasing the effectiveness of persistent vaccination and surveillance efforts.

In 2025, Pakistan reported 31 cases of poliovirus, a notable decrease from 74 cases in 2024.

The upcoming nationwide anti-polio vaccination campaign is scheduled from February 2 to 8, 2026, with the goal of vaccinating over 45 million children under the age of five across the nation.

At the beginning of this year, local media indicated that the Hyderabad region in Sindh has not achieved polio-free status in 2025, with more than 12,000 children missing vaccinations during the final nationwide campaign of 2025.

Official sources reported that ongoing negligence by health department officials has once again hindered efforts to eradicate polio from the district.

As many as 12,092 children under five years old were left unvaccinated even after the last nationwide anti-polio campaign in 2025, amid the confirmed presence of the virus, according to Pakistan's leading daily, The Express Tribune.

Health officials noted that Hyderabad recorded the presence of poliovirus for the 11th consecutive time in 2025. The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, disclosed that Wild Poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) was detected in Hyderabad during November, similar to other cities nationwide.

The persistent presence of poliovirus presents a threat to children's health, prompting parents to remain vigilant and ensure their children receive repeated doses of the polio vaccine and adhere to complete immunization schedules to protect them from poliovirus and other preventable diseases.