Samples of high risk districts test negative for polio

LAHORE: In a rare feat achieved by the Punjab’s polio programme, 17 of its polio environmental sites have tested negative for the crippling virus.

As per a handout released by the polio programme, polio environmental samples taken from Multan, Lahore, DG Khan, Rajanpur, Rawalpindi, RY Khan and Faisalabad have tested negative. The samples were taken from 10 high risk districts in March. “Samples turning out negative is a great feat achieved by dint of the hard work of polio workers and their supervisors”, said Ms Sundas Irshad, head of the polio programme in Punjab, in a statement.

“Punjab has not seen any child being affected with polio since October which is a proof that we are in the right direction in war against polio”, said the head of the polio programme. “However, this does not mean that war is won against polio. We will continue to vaccinate children belonging to mobile and high-risk communities travelling to and from the province”, she added.

“Continue vaccinating your children whenever polio teams knock at your doorsteps until polio is completely eradicated”, she said. Pakistan reported 84 polio cases during the last year with Punjab contributing 14 cases in the national tally. In 2021 only one polio case has been reported from Balochistan and none from Punjab.