Poliovirus spreading rapidly: WPV1 found from 18 sites across Pakistan including four new districts

ISLAMABAD: Type-1 Wild Poliovirus (WPV1) has been detected from 18 sites including four new districts, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Swabi and Swat and ten other previously infected districts.

The detection has been confirmed by the regional reference laboratory for polio eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH) Islamabad. This brings total count of infected districts for 2024 to 38.

In Bannu, the sample was collected on April 24 from Hinjal-Noorabad site, which is the first positive sample from district this year. The virus is YB3A cluster and 99.77pc genetically linked to virus detected in Pishin on April 1.

In Lakki Marwat, the sample was collected on April 22 from Tube Well Gali sample collection site. This is the first positive sample from District Lakki Marwat this year. The virus is 98.89pc genetically linked to virus detected in Nazyan, Afghanistan on May 3, 2023.

The sample in Swabi was collected on April 18 in Shah Mansoor & Kala Pull Badray site. The virus is 99.33pc genetically linked to virus detected from Kohat on November 14, 2023.

In Swat, the sample was collected on April 25 from Saidu Sharif. The virus is 99.77pc linked to virus detected in Swabi on April 18.

In Kohat, the sample was collected on April 18 from Faqirabad site. Classified as YB3A cluster the virus is 99.66pc linked to virus detected in the same district on November 14, 2023.

The sample in Peshawar was collected on April 23 from Hayatabad 1 & 2 site. The virus is YB3A cluster and 99.33pc linked to virus detected in Peshawar on December 6, 2023.

Another sample in Peshawar was collected on April 25 from Shaheen Town site. The virus is YB3A cluster and 99.55pc genetically linked to virus detected in Kohat on November 14, 2023.

In Lahore, the sample was collected on April 17 from Outfall Station 3 (H) collection site. The virus is YB3A cluster and 99.66pc linked to virus detected in Kohat on November 14, 2023.

In Karachi East, sample was collected on April 22 from Rashid Minhas Road Lyari site. The virus is YB3A cluster and 99.89pc linked to virus detected in Karachi Malir on April 16. Another sample in the same district was collected on April 18 from Chakora Nala site. The virus is YB3A cluster and 99.89pc linked to virus found in Karachi Central on March 6.

In Karachi South, sample was collected on April 18 from Manzoor Colony Nala collection site. The virus is 99.89pc genetically linked to virus detected in Mirpurkhas on April 2.

In Karachi, sample was collected on April 22 from Korangi Nala site and is 99.89pc linked to virus found in Karachi Korangi on March 18.

In Sibi town of Balochistan, sample was collected on April 17 from Main Ganda Nala which is 99.77pc linked to virus detected in the same district on January 15.

In Lasbela, the sample was collected on April 22 from Jamali Mohallah site and is 99.77pc linked to virus detected in Karachi Central on February 15.

In Quetta, sample was collected on April 23 from Jatak Killi & Takhtani site and is 99.89pc linked to virus detected in the same district on March 19. Another sample was collected on April 23 from Surpul site which is 99.33pc linked to virus detected in Chaman on January 2.

The third sample was collected on April 22 from Tawoosabad. The virus is 99.44pc linked to virus detected from Chaman on April 2. In Pishin, the sample was collected on April 22 from Turwa. The virus is classified as YB3A cluster and 99.66pc genetically linked to virus detected in Chaman on November 13, 2023.