• The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health has confirmed the detection of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in the Environmental (Sewage) Samples collected from the 16 already infected districts.
  • Sewage sample collected from Lahore, Dera Ghazi Khan, Chaman, Shaheed Benazirabad, Badin, Sukkur, Hyderabad, Karachi West, Karachi Keamari, Sujawal, Dadu, Kambar, Karachi East, Jacobabad, Peshawar and Islamabad tested positive for WPV1, as of October 25, 2024.
  • All districts have previously reported virus detection – either in humans or sewage samples, making them WPV1 infected districts and highlight the risk to children’s well-being.
  • The Pakistan Polio Programme is launching a nationwide polio vaccination campaign from October 28 to vaccinate more than 45 million children under the age of five against paralytic polio.
  • It is critical for parents to open their door to vaccinators during this drive and ensure that all children in their care receive two drops of the crucial oral polio vaccine to keep them protected from the devastating effects of polio.