Pakistan has recorded a significant decline in the number of environmental samples testing positive for the poliovirus, according to the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC).
The NEOC said that 127 environmental samples were collected across the country in June 2026. Of these, 117 tested negative for poliovirus, while the virus was detected in 10 samples.
According to the agency, the number of positive environmental samples recorded between January and June 2026 dropped from 369 to 100.
All 31 environmental samples collected from Punjab tested negative, while 28 of the 29 samples collected in Sindh were also negative for the virus.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 30 out of 34 samples tested negative, while 18 of the 23 samples collected in Balochistan were found to be free of poliovirus.
The NEOC said that three polio cases have been confirmed in Pakistan so far this year. It added that the country’s environmental positivity rate declined from 48.1% to 13.1% during the first six months of 2026.
The agency said efforts are continuing to strengthen environmental surveillance, vaccination coverage and access to immunization services. It also urged parents to ensure that every child under the age of five receives polio drops during every nationwide vaccination campaign.
