Islamabad: Pakistan is facing a serious health concern as the polio virus has been detected in sewage samples from 20 districts. According to the National Reference Laboratory, 17 out of 28 samples taken between May and June tested positive for Wild Poliovirus Type 1.
Big cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad are among the affected areas. Sindh had the highest number of cases, with 14 positive samples from 10 districts.
Lahore confirmed three cases, while the virus was also found in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Mirpur in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir.
The situation is made worse by a rise in vaccine refusals. Over 60,000 people refused polio drops in the recent national campaign, including 39,000 in Karachi. Health officials say they are fighting not just the virus, but also public mistrust and misinformation.
Polio spreads through dirty water or food and can cause paralysis or death. There is no cure—only vaccination can protect children under five.
Pakistan is one of only two countries, along with Afghanistan, where polio is still present. Thirteen polio cases have been confirmed in Pakistan so far in 2025.
