Poliovirus detected in multiple districts across Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health, Islamabad, has confirmed the detection of Type-1 Wild Poliovirus (WPV1) from environmental samples in 14 districts, bringing the total number of infected districts in 2024 to 66.

Pakistan has so far reported 17 polio cases this year, meaning 17 children have either been paralysed or lost their lives due to the virus.

In Peshawar, an environmental sample collected from the Larama site on August 26, 2024 tested positive, marking the 18th positive sample from the district this year. The virus is genetically linked to a previous sample collected in May 2024.

Bannu also reported one positive environmental sample from the Hinjal and Noorabad site, collected on 27th August. This is the second positive sample from the district this year, with the virus showing genetic links to a sample from Lakki Marwat in July.

Lahore saw multiple detections from various sites. Samples collected on 22nd August from Outfall Station-G, Outfall Station-F, and Outfall Station-H, along with a sample from Mehmood Booti collected on 26th August, all tested positive. These detections bring the total number of positive samples from Lahore this year to 13, with the virus genetically linked to cases from Killa Abdullah, Quetta, and previous samples from the same district.

In Rawalpindi, two environmental samples tested positive—one from Dhok Dalal, collected on 24th August, and another from Sara-e-Kala, collected on 26th August. These mark the 7th and 8th positive samples from the district in 2024, with the viruses genetically linked to samples from Karak and Tank.

Bahawalnagar reported its second positive sample of the year from the Madni Colony and Madina Town site, collected on 20th August. The virus is linked to a polio case in Hyderabad from August 2024.

In Kech Balochistan, a sample from Turbat Town collected on 20th August tested positive, the third such detection from the district this year. The virus is linked to a previous sample from Sibi in April.

Sibi in Balochistan also reported an additional positive sample from the Main Ganda Nala site on 20th August, bringing the district’s total to eight positive samples this year, with the virus linked to a Quetta case from April.

In Quetta, a sample from Jatak Killi and Takhtani, collected on 20th August, tested positive, marking the district’s 33rd detection of the year. The virus is linked to a previous sample from Pishin.

Nasirabad also reported its 7th positive sample of the year from Wapda Colony, collected on 21st August, with genetic links to a Quetta sample from April.

Hub, Mastung, Khuzdar, Kambar, and Karachi East also reported new positive samples from environmental surveillance, further highlighting the continued presence of the poliovirus in various regions across Pakistan.

The government and health authorities continue their efforts to curb the spread of the virus, though challenges remain as new detections underscore the ongoing risk of poliovirus transmission across the country.