Environmental poliovirus detection declines across Pakistan, positivity falls to 13.1pc

Pakistan has seen a significant decline in poliovirus detection in environmental samples, with positivity rates dropping from 48.1pc to 13.1pc between 2025 and 2026. The National Emergency Operations Centre reported 10 positive samples in June 2026, down from 369 to 100 positive cases year-to-date. Cross-border transmission from Afghanistan remains a concern, with poliovirus strains linked to Kandahar and Nangarhar detected in Quetta and Peshawar.