According to the latest laboratory report from the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), Pakistan has recorded a decline in the presence of the poliovirus in environmental samples collected across the country.
Fewer Positive Samples Detected
Out of 127 sewage samples collected from 87 districts, only 42 tested positive for the virus, while 75 were polio-free. Results for 10 samples are still pending. The NEOC report highlighted progress across several provinces:
- Balochistan: 22 out of 23 samples were negative, with one testing positive.
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 24 samples were polio-free, while seven tested positive.
- Punjab: 15 samples were negative, and 12 tested positive.
- Sindh: 10 samples were negative, and 19 tested positive.
- Islamabad: One negative sample and three virus-free samples were reported.
- AJK & Gilgit-Baltistan: All samples tested negative for polio.
Growing Concern in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Despite the overall decline in positive samples, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains one of the hardest-hit provinces in the fight against polio. Over 60% of the 19 total cases confirmed across the country in 2025 are from KP. This indicates persistent gaps in immunization coverage, accessibility, and awareness.
New Polio Case Confirmed
Last week, the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) regional laboratory confirmed a new polio case in a young child, marking the 12th case reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa this year. All tests were conducted at the NIH’s Polio Regional Laboratory in Islamabad, which plays a key role in environmental surveillance for detecting poliovirus circulation. The total number of polio cases in the country has now risen to 19 in 2025.
