Pakistan, May 6 -- Pakistan stands at a dangerous precipice. The detection of wild poliovirus in sewage samples from 18 districts-including Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and Quetta-is not just a public health concern; it is a national emergency cloaked in complacency. After years of nearing eradication, we now face a resurgence that could unravel decades of progress, billions of rupees in investment, and the sacrifices of countless frontline workers: many of whom have lost their lives in service.

As of May, eight confirmed cases of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) have been reported, with environmental surveillance confirming its presence in multiple high-density urban centers based on samples collected between April 7 and 17. This ...