Wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) has been detected in almost 163 environmental samples collected from 19 districts of Balochistan during the current year, raising concerns about the continued transmission of the virus and its threat to children.

QUETTA: Wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) has been detected in almost 163 environmental samples collected from 19 districts of Balochistan during the current year, raising concerns about the continued transmission of the virus and its threat to children.
The sources of Health Department told that in all 238 environmental samples were collected for the laboratory tests in the province.
With this, the ratio of prevalence of poliovirus in the environmental samples of the province remained 68 percent.
The WPV1 was detected in the environmental samples of Quetta, Chaman, Pishin, Zhob, Loralai, Khuzdar, Dera Bugti, Naseerabad, Kech, Gwadar, Hub, Usta Muhammad, Mastung, Sibi, Barkhan, Killa Saifullah, Suki, Lasbela and Noshki.
It may be mentioned here that the poliovirus was detected in 27 environmental samples of seven districts in Balochistan last year.
The environmental samples collected from Killa Abdullah, Chaghai, Kharan, Jhal Magsi and Jaffarabad were found cleared.
So far, 63 polio cases have been reported across Pakistan this year, indicating a resurgence of the virus.
The alarming detection of WPV1 in multiple districts underscores the urgent need to protect children from a disease that causes irreversible paralysis but is entirely preventable through vaccination.
It may also be mentioned here that a total of 26 confirmed cases of polio has been reported from Balochistan this year.
In view of the increasing number of polio cases, a full fledged anti-polio campaign has been planned in the province.
According to the Emergency Operation Center (EOC), the immunization campaign is scheduled to start from December 30, in the province.
Health authorities have urged parents to ensure their children receive two drops of OPV whenever vaccinators visit their homes.