Polio virus Type 1 detected in environmental samples of 10 districts of Balochistan

Polio virus Type 1 detected in environmental samples of 10 districts of Balochistan

QUETTA: The wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) has been detected in the environmental samples collected from 10 districts of Balochistan during December 2024.
The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health confirmed the detection of wild polio virus type 1 in the environmental samples collected from the districts of Balochistan during December 16-23, 2024.
According to an official announcement, the sewerage samples collected from Quetta, Khuzdar, Lasbela, Killa Saifullah, Duki, Noshki, Barkhan, Mastung, Kech and Sibi were tested positive for WPV1.
Besides them, the polio virus was also detected in environmental samples collected from seven other districts of the country including Islamabad, Dera Ghazi Khan, Lakki Marwat, Bahawalpur, Gujranwala, Rahim Yar Khan and Lahore.
As these Sewage Samples were collected in December 2024, they therefore belong to 2024, mentioned in the official release.
It may be mentioned here that in all 27 polio virus cases were reported from Balochistan during 2024.
The year’s first Polio vaccination campaign is scheduled to be conducted nationwide from February 3 – 9, 2025. It is crucial for parents to ensure vaccination for all their children under the age of five to keep them protected.
According to the official release, polio remains incurable but entirely preventable through multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine. The Polio Programme continues its efforts to deliver vaccines to children at their doorsteps multiple times a year. Parents and caregivers are urged to ensure that every child under five receives two drops of the vaccine during each campaign to protect them against the paralyzing effects of polio.