Polio Virus Confirmed in Environmental Samples from 47 Districts Across Pakistan
Pakistan’s Anti-Polio Program has confirmed the presence of the polio virus in environmental samples collected from across the country. Out of 116 environmental samples collected in May for polio testing, 47 samples tested positive for the virus, indicating a significant presence of the disease in various regions.
According to the program, while 69 samples did not show any traces of the polio virus, the remaining 47 samples from 34 districts came back positive. Among these, 14 districts in Sindh, 8 districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 6 districts in Balochistan, and 4 districts in Punjab were found to have traces of the virus. Additionally, one district in Gilgit-Baltistan and environmental samples from Islamabad also tested positive for polio.
The Pakistan Anti-Polio Program has reiterated the urgency of intensifying vaccination efforts to curb the spread of the disease, stressing that the virus’s continued presence in environmental samples is a cause for concern. The program also called for further awareness and preventive measures to protect children from the crippling effects of polio.
This latest development highlights the need for continued vigilance and a comprehensive approach to eradication, as the fight against polio remains an ongoing challenge in Pakistan.
