ISLAMABAD: An environmental sample collected from Rawalpindi has yielded a positive result for wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1), highlighting the ongoing challenges in eradicating the disease.
The positive sample was obtained from the Safdarabad site on August 10, with testing conducted at the Pakistan Polio Laboratory within the National Institute of Health, which serves as the WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for the Polio Programme.
This incident marks the second instance of a positive sample from Rawalpindi this year. The isolated virus has been genetically linked to a virus cluster active in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, neighboring Pakistan.
Health Minister Reacts to Poliovirus Presence
Federal Minister for Health, Dr. Nadeem Jan, expressed dedication to a comprehensive strategy for polio elimination, particularly in high-risk areas. An emergency plan is underway to curb the virus’s spread, Dr. Jan’s said, adding the presence of poliovirus in the environment poses an ongoing threat to children’s well-being. He urged parents and caregivers to ensure their children receive multiple doses of the vaccine, safeguarding them from lifelong disability.
Dr. Shahzad Baig, Coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Center for Polio Eradication, highlighted Pakistan’s vigilant polio surveillance network. Swift detections underscore the program’s effectiveness. Collaboration with Afghanistan’s Polio Programme is also underway, bolstering vaccination at the border to curtail potential virus spread.
A recent polio campaign in 65 districts, including Rawalpindi, aimed to vaccinate over 8 million children under five. As of now, Pakistan has reported two polio cases and 16 positive environmental samples in 2023. Afghanistan, on the other hand, reported five cases and 33 positive samples, reflecting the ongoing challenges both countries face in eradicating polio.
