Health officials have sounded the alarm after sewage samples from 10 districts across the country tested positive for poliovirus. The findings have raised serious concerns about the resurgence of the disease, which remains a persistent threat despite ongoing eradication efforts.
Affected districts
The districts where the virus has been detected include areas with both urban and rural population. These districts are known for their high population density and poor sanitation, which favors the transmission of the virus. The affected areas are mainly Dera Bugti, Quetta, Tank, Bajaur, Multan and Rahim Yar Khan etc.
Resurrection of Polio
Pakistan remains one of the few countries in the world where polio remains a public health threat. In 2024 alone, more than 59 cases of polio were confirmed across the country. This increase in cases highlights the need for intensified vaccination campaigns and increased surveillance to stop the spread of the virus.
Vaccination Campaign
Following the positive test of the wastewater sample, health authorities announced an intensive rural vaccination campaign targeting children under the age of five. The campaign aims to vaccinate more than 44 million children in affected areas. Health workers and volunteers have been mobilized to carry out door-to-door vaccination drives, especially in hard-to-reach areas.
Parents are urged to ensure that their children receive the oral polio vaccine during the campaign to protect them from the paralysis caused by polio infection. Health experts stress that there is no cure for polio and vaccination remains the only effective preventive measure.
Environmental Monitoring
Detection of poliovirus in wastewater samples is part of regular environmental monitoring by health authorities. Such surveillance acts as an early warning system, identifying areas where the virus is present even before clinical cases emerge. Recent findings highlight the need for improved sanitation practices in affected communities.
Global impact
The resurgence of polio cases in Pakistan is of global concern due to the potential for the disease to spread across borders. The World Health Organization (WHO) and global health partners continue to support Pakistan's efforts towards eradicating the virus.
Call to action
Officials have stressed the urgency of collective action towards polio eradication. Community leaders, religious scholars and social influencers are working to counter vaccine skepticism and misinformation, which remain major barriers to vaccination.
Government and health agencies have reaffirmed their commitment to eradicating polio from Pakistan, but this effort requires the cooperation of all stakeholders. The presence of poliovirus in wastewater samples is a stark reminder that the fight against polio is far from over.
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