NIH confirms poliovirus detected in two more districts

ISLAMABAD: Poliovirus is continuously spreading across the country and the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH) Islamabad has confirmed Type-1 Wild Poliovirus (WPV1) in two new districts, Abbottabad and Gwadar, including six other previously-affected districts.

This brings the total count of infected districts for the year 2024 to 49, officials said, adding that recent detections highlight the ongoing challenge of polio eradication in Pakistan despite continued efforts.

An official said in Abbottabad that an environmental sample collected on June 12, 2024, from the Kala Pul Sheikh ul Bandi site tested positive for WPV1. This marks the first positive sample from Abbottabad this year, they said. The virus is classified as the YB3A cluster and is 99.44% genetically linked to a virus detected in Islamabad on June 3, 2024, the official added.

In Gwadar, an environmental sample collected on June 10, 2024, from the GDA Plant site tested positive for WPV1, the first positive sample from Gwadar this year. The virus is classified as the YB3A cluster and is 99.55% genetically linked to a virus detected in Karachi East on January 11, 2024.

In Usta Mohammad, an environmental sample collected on June 10, 2024, from the Van Stand site tested positive for WPV1, the third positive sample from Usta Mohammad this year. The virus is classified as the YB3A cluster and is 99.22% genetically linked to a virus detected in the same district on May 20, 2024.

Similarly, in Dukki, an environmental sample collected on June 10, 2024, from the Naseebabad Mohallah site tested positive for WPV1, the second positive sample from Dukki this year. The virus is classified as the YB3A cluster and is 99.22% genetically linked virus detected in Chaman on January 2, 2024.

In Mastung, an environmental sample collected on June 10, 2024, from the Adalat Road site tested positive for WPV1, the fourth positive sample from Mastung this year. The virus is classified as the YB3A cluster and is 99.77% genetically linked virus detected in the same district on January 2, 2024.

In Sibi, an environmental sample collected on June 10, 2024, from the Main Ganda Nalla site tested positive for WPV1, the sixth positive sample from Sibi this year. The virus is classified as the YB3A cluster and is 99.55% genetically linked virus detected in the same district on January 15, 2024.

In Kech, an environmental sample collected on June 10, 2024, from the Turbat Town site tested positive for WPV1, the second positive sample from Kech this year. The virus is classified as the YB3A cluster and is 99.77% genetically linked virus detected in Karachi East on May 16, 2024.

Besides in Rawalpindi, an environmental sample collected on June 10, 2024, from the Dhok Dalal site tested positive for WPV1, the third positive sample from Rawalpindi this year. The virus is classified as the YB3A cluster and is 100% genetically-linked virus detected in Islamabad on June 3, 2024.