ISLAMABAD, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Poliovirus has been detected in sewage samples from 40 districts across Pakistan, according to test results from the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health.
In a statement issued this week, the Pakistan Polio Eradication Program said environmental samples were collected in December 2025 from multiple locations nationwide, confirming the presence of poliovirus in several areas.
"A total of 127 environmental samples were collected from 87 districts during this period. Of these, 40 samples tested positive for poliovirus, while 87 were declared negative," the statement said.
The statement noted that while the continued detection of poliovirus in sewage remains a concern, overall trends show a decline in virus circulation compared to previous years, reflecting the impact of sustained vaccination and surveillance efforts.
According to the program, Pakistan reported 31 poliovirus cases in 2025, a significant drop from 74 cases recorded in 2024.
The next nationwide anti-polio vaccination campaign is scheduled to be held from Feb. 2 to 8, 2026, aiming to vaccinate more than 45 million children under the age of five across the country. ■
