Islamabad – July 04, 2024 Sewage samples from two new districts, Gwadar and Abbottabad, and six previously infected districts have tested positive for wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1).
The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health has notified that environmental samples collected between June 10 and June 12 from districts Gwadar, Sibi, Kech, Dukki, Usta Muhammad, Mastung, Rawalpindi and Abbottabad contained WPV1.
All positive samples are genetically linked to the YB3A genetic cluster of WPV1, which has been detected in all positive cases and sewage samples reported this year.
The Pakistan Polio Programme is conducting a polio campaign in 41 districts this week, including Dukki, Sibi, Mastung, Usta Muhammad and partial UCs of Rawalpindi, to vaccinate over 9.5 million children under the age of five, and more campaigns are planned in coming months.
With the virus reported in 49 districts of the country so far this year, it is essential for parents in all parts of the country to understand that this virus continues to pose a constant threat to the wellbeing of their children and make sure to open their doors to vaccinators to receive the polio vaccine.
Polio is a devastating incurable disease that can leave a child paralyzed for life. Repeated vaccination is essential to protect children from disability caused by poliovirus. The Pakistan Polio Programme urges all parents and caregivers to ensure that their children are vaccinated against polio at every opportunity and have completed all routine vaccinations to protect them from 12 vaccine-preventable childhood diseases.
Note:
Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by poliovirus mainly affecting children under the age of five years. It invades the nervous system and can cause paralysis or even death. While there is no cure for polio, vaccination is the most effective way to protect children from this crippling disease. Each time a child under the age of five is vaccinated, their protection against the virus is increased. Repeated immunisations have protected millions of children from polio, allowing almost all countries in the world to become polio-free, except for the two endemic countries of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
For further information, please contact: Ms Hania Naeem, Communications Officer, NEOC,
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