In July 2025, Pakistan detected 42 positive samples of poliovirus in wastewater, the highest figure this year, confirming an uptick in virus circulation.
📍 So far in 2025, 19 cases have been reported:
- 12 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- 5 in Sindh
- 1 in Punjab
- 1 in Balochistan
🇦🇫 Afghanistan has reported 2 cases this year. In 2024, Pakistan recorded 71 cases, confirming the virus remains endemic.
⚠ Key challenges to eradication:
- Insecurity and limited access in conflict areas
- Vaccine hesitancy
- Misinformation and rumors
💉 The WHO maintains the Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) over the international spread of poliovirus.
It is recommended that residents and long-term visitors receive a dose of oral polio vaccine (OPV) or inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) before traveling.
🔍 Key point: Environmental detection is critical to anticipate outbreaks and stop transmission before paralysis occurs.
