Islamabad: Sewage samples from three districts in Pakistan have tested positive for wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1), according to health officials. The detection was confirmed by the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health, raising concerns over the spread of the disease.

According to a statement by Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme, environmental samples collected from Thatta, Umerkot, and Noshero Feroze on December 23 and 24, 2024, showed the presence of WPV1. This development underscores the ongoing challenges in eradicating polio, a disease that causes paralysis and has no cure.

Authorities emphasize the importance of vaccination in combating polio. The oral polio vaccine, administered in multiple doses, is deemed essential to provide children under the age of five with high immunity against the disease. The Pakistan Polio Program regularly conducts mass vaccination drives, delivering vaccines directly to households. Additionally, the Expanded Program on Immunization offers free vaccinations against 12 childhood diseases at health facilities.

The first nationwide polio vaccination campaign of the year is planned for February 3 to 9, 2025. Health officials urge parents to ensure their children under five are vaccinated, highlighting its importance for protection against the virus.