• In the past week, the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health has confirmed the detection of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in environmental (sewage) samples collected from 27 districts in Pakistan.
  • As of November 1, 2024, sewage samples collected from Hyderabad, Lahore, Jamshoro, Karachi Central, Kambar, Islamabad, Karachi South, Rawalpindi, Pishin, Lakki Marwat, Mirpur Khas, Karachi East, Karachi Korangi, Noshki, Quetta, Zhob, Peshawar, DI Khan, Attock, Mianwali, Hub, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bannu, Rahim Yar Khan, Jhang and Mansehra tested positive for WPV1.
  • These are the first WPV1 detections of the year from Mianwali, Jhang and Mansehra while the remaining 24 districts have previously reported virus detections in either humans or sewage samples. These areas are classified as WPV1-infected, highlighting the ongoing risk to children’s health and well-being across the country.
  • The Pakistan Polio Programme has launched a nationwide polio vaccination campaign from October 28 to immunize over 45 million children under five years of age against paralytic polio.
  • It is critical for parents and caregivers to ensure children receive two drops of the oral polio vaccine during this drive, safeguarding them against polio’s debilitating effects and advancing Pakistan's efforts toward becoming polio-free.