Archive · 18 Jan 2026
Pakistan Finds Polio Virus in 40 Samples
Pakistan tested 127 sewage samples from different places in December 2025.
Out of these, 40 samples had the polio virus.
The places where the virus was found include Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh, and Islamabad.
The government is planning a big vaccination campaign in February 2026 to protect children from polio.
They want to make sure all children under five get the polio vaccine to keep them safe from the disease.
40 out of 127 sewage samples tested positive for poliovirus in December 2025 across Pakistan.
Positive samples were found in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh, and Islamabad.
The government plans a nationwide polio vaccination campaign from February 2-8, 2026, targeting over 45 million children.
Positive sewage samples indicate gaps in vaccination coverage and potential risk to children's immunity.
Routine immunization services are provided for children up to two years old to strengthen immunity against polio.
- Who
- National Institute of Health (NIH) officials and the government of Pakistan
- What
- Detection of poliovirus in 40 environmental samples in December 2025
- When
- December 2025, with an upcoming campaign from February 2-8, 2026
- Where
- All four provinces of Pakistan and Islamabad
- Why
- To monitor and eradicate polio through vaccination campaigns
- Total Samples Tested
- 127
- Positive Samples
- 40
- Negative Samples
- 87
- Provinces Affected
- Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad
- Upcoming Vaccination Campaign
- February 2-8, 2026
- Children to be Vaccinated
- Over 45 million