ISLAMABAD: The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH) has confirmed the presence of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in environmental samples from 14 districts previously identified as high-risk areas.

According to a lab official, sewage samples from Dera Bugti, Quetta, Nasirabad, Usta Muhammad, Bajaur, Tank, Multan, Bahawalpur, Okara, Rahim Yar Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Gujranwala, Gujrat and Islamabad tested positive for WPV1.

“This year, 59 polio cases have been reported. The resurgence of the poliovirus has placed children nationwide at risk of the debilitating disease,” the official said.

Polio remains incurable but can be entirely prevented through multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine, which the Polio Programme delivers to children at their doorsteps several times a year, he said.

“Similarly, routine vaccination against 12 childhood preventable diseases, provided free of charge by the Expanded Programme for Immunisation, gives additional immunity boost to children to be able to fight off infections like polio,” he said.

The official said the Polio Programme was launching the sub-national polio vaccination campaign on Dec 16 to reach more than 44.7 million children under five with the vaccine and keep them protected from paralytic polio.

“It is critical for parents and caregivers to ensure that their children under the age of five receive two drops of the oral polio vaccine whenever a vaccinator knocks on their door to protect children against polio’s paralysing effects,” he said.

Published in Dawn, December 8th, 2024