ISLAMABAD, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Poliovirus was detected in sewage samples from 18 districts across Pakistan, according to test results from the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health.

The report shown on the website of the Pakistan Polio Eradication Program revealed on Monday that the samples, collected between Feb. 21 and March 6, confirmed the presence of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in the area, highlighting the ongoing threat of the disease.

The statement added that Pakistan's polio surveillance system network expanded from 65 sites in 2021 to 127 in 2025 with the aim to ensure that poliovirus transmission does not go undetected, even in the most remote areas.

The statement added that the National Polio Eradication Program had been implementing a rigorous vaccination strategy aimed at eliminating the virus and brought a consistent decline in polio cases since September 2024.

Pakistan has reported six new cases of poliovirus since the start of the year 2025, according to the program.

The program urged all parents to ensure their children receive polio drops at every available opportunity, emphasizing that vaccination is the only way to protect them from the debilitating disease. Enditem

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