Islamabad: The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health has confirmed the presence of Wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in sewage samples from Gujranwala and six other districts, highlighting ongoing challenges in Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts. This detection underscores the persistent risk of polio transmission in these areas despite significant vaccination drives.

According to Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme, environmental samples collected between June 6 and June 11 in districts including Gujranwala, Quetta, Nasirabad, Peshawar, Karachi East, Karachi Central, and Islamabad tested positive for WPV1. This strain is part of the YB3A genetic cluster, consistent with all positive cases and environmental detections this year, indicating sustained transmission within these communities.

WPV1 has been identified in 47 districts so far this year, with polio cases reported in two of these districts where no positive environmental samples were found. To combat this, the Pakistan Polio Programme has implemented five vaccination campaigns, including two national drives that inoculated over 40 million children in January and February alone.

A forthcoming polio vaccination initiative is scheduled from July 1 to July 7, targeting over 9.5 million children under five years old in 41 high-risk districts. The relentless effort to eradicate polio is critical as the disease remains incurable and can cause permanent paralysis in children.

The Pakistan Polio Programme continues to urge parents and caregivers to vaccinate their children against polio at every opportunity, emphasizing the necessity of completing all routine vaccinations to protect against various preventable diseases.