Wild poliovirus type 1 detected in sewage samples of nine districts of Balochistan
Wild poliovirus type 1 detected in sewage samples of nine districts of Balochistan
Nationwide anti-polio campaign scheduled from April 21 to 27, aiming to vaccinate over 45.4 million children underage of five across country including Balochistan
QUETTA: The wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) has been detected in the sewerage environmental samples of nine districts of Balochistan.
According to an official announcement made by the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme, the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication confirmed detection of wild poliovirus type 1 in sewage samples of Dukki, Kech, Khuzdar, Lasbela, Loralai, Naseerabad, Pishin, Quetta, Usta Muhammad.
It may be mentioned here that the environmental samples were collected from March 5 to 19, 2025 from the above-mentioned areas.
The press release issued by the Pakistan Polio Eradication programme mentioned that the Programme is implementing a rigorous vaccination schedule to protect children from paralytic polio and interrupt virus transmission. Thanks to high-quality campaigns since September 2024, polio cases nationwide have declined from 74 cases in 2024 to just 6 cases in 2025.
The next nationwide campaign is scheduled from April 21 to 27, aiming to vaccinate 45.4 million children under the age of five across the country.
The Polio Programme urged all parents to vaccinate their children against polio every time the vaccine is offered. Repeated vaccination strengthens children’s immunity and protects them from the crippling poliovirus.
It is the prime responsibility of parents and community members to ensure that no child in their homes or neighborhoods is left unvaccinated. Every missed child is at risk and can contribute to the continued spread of the poliovirus. Protecting children from polio is a shared duty and starts with timely vaccination.
