Islamabad: The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health has reported the presence of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in environmental samples from 16 districts across Pakistan. These findings underscore ongoing public health challenges and have prompted a nationwide vaccination drive to immunize over 45 million children under five against polio.
According to Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme, sewage samples from districts including Lahore, Dera Ghazi Khan, Chaman, Shaheed Benazirabad, Badin, Sukkur, Hyderabad, Karachi West, Karachi Keamari, Sujawal, Dadu, Kambar, Karachi East, Jacobabad, Peshawar, and Islamabad tested positive for WPV1. These districts have previously reported cases of polio, either in humans or through environmental sampling, highlighting an elevated risk to children’s health.
The imminent vaccination campaign, set to commence on October 28, aims to administer oral polio vaccines to children nationwide. Authorities are urging parents to cooperate with vaccinators to ensure their children receive the necessary protection against the crippling effects of polio.