Polio positivity rate in environmental samples drops sharply: NEOC

The positivity rate of poliovirus in environmental samples across Pakistan declined sharply to 13.1 percent during the first half of the year, compared with 48.1 percent during the corresponding period last year

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jul, 2026) The positivity rate of poliovirus in environmental samples across Pakistan declined sharply to 13.1 percent during the first half of the year, compared with 48.1 percent during the corresponding period last year.

According to the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) as per latest environmental surveillance data, 127 samples were collected from across the country in June, to monitor the presence of poliovirus.

Of these, 117 samples tested negative, while poliovirus was detected in only 10 samples.

The National EOC said that between January to June, the number of environmental samples testing positive for poliovirus declined significantly from 369 during the same period last year to 100 this year.

The data showed that all 31 environmental samples collected from Punjab tested negative for poliovirus.

In Sindh, 28 out of 29 samples tested negative, while 30 of the 34 samples collected from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were negative.

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Similarly, 18 out of 23 environmental samples collected from Balochistan tested negative for poliovirus.

Three polio cases have so far been confirmed in Pakistan this year, the National EOC said.

It said that environmental surveillance, vaccination coverage and programme reach were being further strengthened as part of efforts to eradicate polio from the country.

The National EOC reaffirmed that efforts would continue to ensure that every child across Pakistan received polio vaccination.

It urged parents, community leaders, religious scholars and doctors to actively participate in the national mission to eradicate polio.

“Polio workers are our national heroes and should be welcomed with respect and dignity,” it said.

The National EOC also stressed that every child under the age of five must be administered polio drops during every vaccination campaign to ensure complete protection against the crippling disease.