ISLAMABAD: Two more cases of poliovirus have been reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan and Lakki Marwat districts. So far this year, 45 cases of the crippling disease have been reported from across the country.

The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication in Islamabad has confirmed the detection of two more wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) cases. The victims include a 34-month-old girl in Lakki Marwat and a two-year-old child in D.I. Khan.

The genetic sequencing of the samples collected from the children is und­erway, a lab official said.

The cases have been reported at a time when a nationwide vaccination campaign is ongoing to immunise over 45 million children under five years.

Both districts had previously reported one case of poliovirus each. Environmental samples collected from these areas have also tested positive for the presence of the virus, as per the official.

So far, 22 polio cases have been reported from Balochistan, 12 from Sindh, nine from KP and one each from Punjab and Islamabad.

In light of the rising number of cases, the federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments have deci­ded to form a joint strategy for eradicating the virus.

Other than the reported case, WPV1 has been detected in 76 districts from all four provinces and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, indicating widespread circulation of the virus and a continued serious risk to children’s well-being, according to officials.

Earlier on Friday, the testing of environmental samples showed that the poliovirus had reached two new districts, Noshki, Balochistan, and Mian­wali, Punjab, which had so far remained unaffected by the virus.

According to experts, a sewage water sample ta­­k­en from an area is the basic parameter to determine if polio vaccination campaigns are being carried out successfully. The presence of the virus in sewage water also shows that the immunity level of local children has fallen, and they are at risk of the disease.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2024

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...