Pakistan: Poliovirus detected in environmental samples from four provinces
Poliovirus Detected in Pakistan's Environmental Samples
In February 2025, poliovirus was found in environmental samples from all four provinces of Pakistan. This marks the first detection of the virus in environmental samples this year. Sewage samples collected from January 6 to 15 tested positive for poliovirus in 26 districts, including 15 in Sindh, 5 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and 3 each in Balochistan and Punjab.
The presence of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in these samples is concerning, as it indicates the virus's presence in the environment. In 2024, Pakistan reported 73 polio cases and over 480 polio-positive sewage samples, highlighting the urgent need for vaccination campaigns.
Earlier, samples from Mirpurkhas, Thatta, and Naushahro Feroze in Sindh also tested positive for WPV1. The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication confirmed a WPV1 case in a female child from Dera Ismail Khan, with symptoms starting on December 31, 2024.
Polio is a highly infectious disease that can cause paralysis and death, with no cure available. Vaccination is the most effective protection, requiring multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine for children under five to ensure high immunity.
Doubts Revealed
Poliovirus
Poliovirus is a virus that can cause a disease called polio, which can lead to paralysis or even death. It spreads easily from person to person.
Environmental Samples
Environmental samples are things like water or soil that are collected from the environment to test for the presence of viruses or bacteria.
Provinces of Pakistan
Pakistan is divided into areas called provinces, similar to states in India. The four provinces mentioned are Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Punjab.
Sewage Samples
Sewage samples are taken from waste water, which includes water from toilets and drains, to check for viruses like poliovirus.
Wild Poliovirus Type 1
Wild Poliovirus Type 1 is a natural form of the poliovirus that can cause outbreaks of polio. It is different from vaccine-derived poliovirus.
Vaccination
Vaccination is a way to protect people from diseases by giving them a small, safe amount of the virus or bacteria, so their body learns to fight it off.
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