Pakistan: Polio virus detected in Sindh district sewage samples
Polio Virus Found in Sindh Sewage: Pakistan's Ongoing Battle
In a concerning development, sewage samples from Mirpurkhas, Thatta, and Naushahro Feroze in Sindh, Pakistan, have tested positive for Wild Polio virus Type 1. These samples, collected on December 23 and 24, highlight the ongoing struggle against polio in the country. In 2024, over 480 sewage samples tested positive for the virus, and 73 polio cases were reported nationwide.
The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health confirmed a case involving a female child from Dera Ismail Khan, with the illness starting on December 31, 2024. Dera Ismail Khan has reported 11 cases in 2024. The regional breakdown of cases includes 27 in Balochistan, 22 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 21 in Sindh, and one each in Punjab and Islamabad.
Polio is a highly infectious disease that can cause paralysis and even death, with no cure available. Vaccination is the most effective protection, requiring multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine for children under five. Pakistan's Polio Program conducts mass vaccination drives annually, and the Expanded Program on Immunization offers free vaccinations against 12 childhood diseases.
To combat the virus, Pakistan's first nationwide polio vaccination campaign for 2025 is set for February 3 to February 9. Parents are urged to vaccinate all children under five to ensure their protection.
Doubts Revealed
Polio Virus
Polio is a virus that can make people very sick. It can cause paralysis, which means you can't move parts of your body, and sometimes it can even lead to death.
Sewage
Sewage is the dirty water and waste that comes from homes and buildings. It goes into pipes and is usually cleaned before going back into the environment.
Sindh
Sindh is a province in Pakistan. It's like a big area or state, similar to how India has states like Maharashtra or Tamil Nadu.
Wild Polio virus Type 1
This is a type of polio virus that spreads easily and can cause serious illness. 'Wild' means it is naturally occurring, not caused by a vaccine.
Dera Ismail Khan
Dera Ismail Khan is a city in Pakistan. It's one of the places where polio cases have been found.
Vaccination
Vaccination is when you get a special medicine, usually through a shot, that helps protect you from getting sick with certain diseases, like polio.
Nationwide vaccination campaign
This is a big effort by the government to give vaccines to as many people as possible across the whole country. It's like a big health project to keep everyone safe from diseases.
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