ISLAMABAD: Polio, a highly contagious viral disease that mainly affects children, is once again becoming a cause for concern in Pakistan. Recent findings confirm the presence of the polio virus in environmental samples from 11 districts, pointing to a resurgence of the disease.
This report delves into the current state of the polio situation in Pakistan and the efforts made to combat its resurgence.
Polio is a crippling and potentially fatal infectious disease caused by the poliovirus. Although Pakistan has made significant progress in combating the disease in the past, the recent confirmation of the virus in various districts is a reminder that the battle is far from over. The Ministry of Health in Pakistan has reported the presence of the poliovirus in several environmental samples, including areas in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh.
Probably the best news since the pandemic started. Not a single case of Polio in Pakistan in the last 1 year.
Massive respect and gratitude to around 380k polio workers. Prayers for those who lost their lives to achieve this goal. Lets keep it this way. #polio pic.twitter.com/UAfIQfXA7u— Dr Amjad Ali (@breastsurgeonpk) February 4, 2022
Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh have all reported the presence of the poliovirus in environmental samples from various districts. This troubling development means that the virus is not confined to a single region but has emerged as a nationwide concern. Some of the affected areas include Chaman in Balochistan, Pusheen, Bannu, and Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Kemari and District Central areas of Karachi in Sindh. Notably, an environmental sample from the Gulshan Ravi area of Lahore in Punjab has also tested positive for the poliovirus.
Unicef sees end of #polio in #Pakistan https://t.co/4hu5XgXnni
— Mubashir Zaidi (@Xadeejournalist) October 11, 2021
In light of this concerning situation, an awareness walk was organized in Islamabad’s D Chowk on Polio Day. This event witnessed the participation of a significant number of people, including women, men, children, Health Minister Dr. Nadeem Jan, and WHO Representative Dr. Palitha Gunarathna Mahipala. Speaking to the media, Dr. Nadeem Jan, the caretaker health minister, expressed a strong commitment to eradicating polio from Pakistan. The WHO representative, Dr. Palitha Gunarathna Mahipala, reiterated their support for the government of Pakistan in the fight against polio.
Efforts to eliminate polio in Pakistan are ongoing, but the recent resurgence underscores the need for heightened vigilance and vaccination campaigns. With the virus spreading across multiple districts, comprehensive strategies are essential to address this public health challenge and protect children from the debilitating effects of polio. International collaboration and support from organizations like WHO remain crucial in the battle against polio in Pakistan.
