Wild poliovirus detected in sewage across eight districts in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH) has confirmed the presence of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in environmental samples from eight districts across Pakistan. The affected districts include Kech, Sibi, Barkhan, Quetta, Gwadar, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, and South Waziristan Lower, raising serious concerns about the continued circulation of the virus.

Health officials have reiterated the importance of timely vaccination campaigns and robust immunization efforts to prevent the spread of the virus. Prime Minister’s Health Coordinator, Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath, has stressed the need for closer collaboration between polio eradication teams and the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) to enhance protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Recognizing the contributions of provincial EPIs, Polio Emergency Operation Centres (EOCs), and global health partners such as Gavi, WHO, UNICEF, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr. Bharath emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts at all levels. “This shared responsibility requires our full commitment, particularly at the provincial and district levels,” he stated.

With Pakistan being one of the last remaining polio-endemic countries, public health authorities continue to push for increased immunization coverage, community awareness, and strengthened surveillance systems. The presence of WPV1 in environmental samples underscores the need for urgent action to protect children from life-threatening diseases and achieve polio eradication goals.