Polio virus found in sewage across 18 districts

Pakistan's Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication has found Wild Poliovirus Type 1 in sewage samples from 18 districts, including Islamabad. The samples were taken between February 21 and March 6, highlighting the continued risk of polio in the country. The National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio confirmed these findings, which reflect the virus's presence in major cities across all four provinces. The affected areas include 12 districts in Sindh, two in Punjab, two in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one in Balochistan, and the capital, Islamabad. Notable districts with detected poliovirus include Karachi, Lahore, and Chaman. So far this year, Pakistan has reported six confirmed cases of polio. Previous year figures indicated 74 cases, mainly from Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh. Vaccination remains critical in the fight against this disease, as there is currently no cure for polio. Health officials emphasize the need for all children under five to receive multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine. Completing the vaccination schedule is essential to build strong immunity and protect against this serious illness.