In the past week, the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health confirmed the detection of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in environmental samples collected from two new districts and 11 already infected districts.
As of 29 November 2024, sewage samples collected from Kashmore, Larkana, DG Khan, Lahore, Jacobabad, Hyderabad, Karachi Malir, Karachi East, Karachi South, Karachi Korangi, Sukkur, Peshawar and Quetta between November 5 and November 11 tested positive for WPV1.
This year, 56 polio cases have been reported. The resurgence of poliovirus this year has put children nationwide at risk from a debilitating disease.
Polio is incurable, yet entirely preventable with the help of multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine that the Polio Programme brings to children at their doorsteps multiple times a year.
The next mass vaccination is planned for mid-December to reach more than 44 million children with the vaccine.
It is critical for parents and caregivers to ensure that their children under the age of five receive two drops of the oral polio vaccine whenever a vaccinator knocks on their door to protect children against polio’s paralyzing effects.