KARACHI – In a troubling development for public health, the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme has confirmed the presence of poliovirus in environmental samples taken from seven districts across the country.
According to officials, sewage samples collected between May 8 and May 23 revealed poliovirus traces in Gwadar, Quetta, Rawalpindi, Larkana, Mirpurkhas, and both Upper and Lower South Waziristan. The findings raise fresh concerns about the persistence of the virus in the environment and the effectiveness of ongoing vaccination efforts.
There was, however, some encouraging news. Samples from Lahore and Pishin tested negative for the virus — a small but significant sign of progress in the fight against polio in urban and high-risk regions.
The samples were part of routine environmental surveillance, a key tool used by health authorities to monitor the silent circulation of the poliovirus in communities where children may remain unvaccinated or under-immunized.
Vaccine Refusals on the Rise in Karachi
Adding to the concern is a sharp increase in vaccine refusals, especially in Karachi — a city considered crucial in the fight against polio. The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) reported that in May alone, 37,711 parents refused to vaccinate their children, a number slightly higher than April’s refusal count of 37,360.
Officials cite misconceptions, misinformation, and a general lack of awareness as key reasons behind the refusals. “The refusal rate continues to be a major challenge,” a spokesperson said, adding that targeted efforts are being made to address fears and build trust within communities.
Special focus is now being placed on high-risk union councils, where refusal and access issues are leaving children dangerously exposed to the virus.
Pakistan Still Battling to Eradicate Polio
Polio remains a serious threat in Pakistan, one of only two countries in the world — along with Afghanistan — where the virus is still endemic. The disease primarily affects children under five and can cause lifelong paralysis or even death. While there is no cure, vaccination remains the most effective defense.
So far in 2025, Pakistan has reported 12 polio cases, with 6 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 4 from Sindh, and 1 each from Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan. The most recent case was reported from Bannu, a district in KP where access and security issues continue to hamper vaccination drives.
Despite the challenges, the government’s efforts remain robust. Three nationwide campaigns — held in February, April, and May — have collectively reached over 45 million children, supported by a workforce of over 400,000 vaccinators, including 225,000 women working on the front lines.
The Regional Reference Laboratory at NIH Islamabad continues to monitor samples, while field teams push forward with door-to-door immunisation efforts, determined to reach every child.
With its third National Immunisation Days (NIDs) campaign now officially underway, Pakistan is racing against time and resistance — battling misinformation and logistical hurdles to finally rid the country of a disease that the world had almost defeated.
