Poliovirus detected in 10 out of 12 sewage samples in Karachi

Sindh CM orders intensified, strictly monitored vaccination drive across province

Poliovirus has been detected in 10 out of 12 environmental samples collected from the metropolitan city's sewerage system last month, prompting Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to order an intensified and strictly monitored eradication campaign across the province.

Presiding over a meeting of the provincial polio task force at his office on Tuesday, the chief minister voiced serious concern over environmental surveillance results showing widespread threat of the virus in Karachi and other divisions.

Surveillance data for November indicated that 10 of 12 sampling sites in Karachi and 11 of 17 sites in other districts tested positive. Calling the situation ‘alarming and unacceptable’, the CM demanded a high-quality, coordinated and disciplined vaccination efforts to curb further spread of the virus.

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Briefing the meeting, the Emergency Operations Centre reported that Sindh has so far confirmed nine polio cases in 2025 - three from Badin, two from Thatta, and one each from Hyderabad, Qambar, Larkana and Umerkot. Last case in Karachi was detected in December 2024 in Gujro, east district.

Officials said that more than 75 per cent of sewage samples collected since mid-2023 have tested positive - the highest rate recorded in over a decade - underscoring persistent transmission in the environment.

Reviewing district-wise performance, the CM was informed that 87 per cent of lots had passed quality checks during the October national immunisation campaign, while 27 out of 206 lots (13%) had failed. Expressing dissatisfaction, he instructed DCs to remain fully engaged in field operations, warning that there would be ‘no tolerance for administrative negligence’.

He directed that morning assemblies be held regularly, frontline vaccination workers remain fully mobilised, and target children be reached during campaign days rather than through post-campaign follow-ups.

District health officers were ordered to enforce zero-tolerance on absenteeism and data manipulation, while union council support teams were instructed to immediately resolve field-level issues.

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Officials informed the meeting that the upcoming national anti-polio vaccination campaign - scheduled for a period from December 15 to 21 - aims to vaccinate 10.6 million children across 1,345 union councils in 30 districts.

More than 80,000 frontline workers and over 21,000 police personnel, including nearly 400 women constables, will be deployed. The CM stressed timely deployment of police at morning assemblies and said women constables should be assigned to high-refusal areas to ease access.

Karachi’s central district and Sukkur were commended for strong performance. Karachi central district arranged transport and deployment of 4,000 polio workers with support from NGOs and town administrations.

Sukkur completed 100 per cent assessment of its 300 AICs, replaced 13 low-performing AICs and improved coverage in high-risk union councils. "These districts have set an example. Others should replicate these models," the chief minister said.

The meeting was informed that 85 per cent of zero-dose children have now been vaccinated, though around 12,000 remain unvaccinated. CM Shah directed that all refusal cases be resolved during the upcoming campaign and asked local governments and district administrations to follow up directly.

He also called for stronger community engagement, effective messaging, involvement of influencers and a coordinated media strategy. "We need now is discipline, accountability and public trust," he remarked, adding, "No child in Sindh should remain unvaccinated."

The meeting was attended by Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, IG Police Ghulam Nabi Memon, Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Commissioner Hassan Naqvi, AIG Javed Alam Odho, senior health officials, EOC Coordinator Shehryar Gul, representatives of UNICEF, WHO and Rotary International, as well as all Karachi's deputy commissioners. Commissioners, DCs, DIGs and SSPs from other divisions attended the meeting via video link.