Poliovirus samples were collected from the sewage of 37 cities, among which those from Lahore tested positive. This alarming situation prompted the health authorities to initiate a vaccination drive in 26 union councils.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) confirmed the Type-1 Wild Poliovirus in the samples taken from Lahore District. It is reported that the pinpointed samples were taken from the Gulshan Ravi ES site, Lahore, by January (2023).
“This is Pakistan’s first Poliovirus-positive sample”, the health authorities declared. It is noted that only 37 poliovirus-positive cases were reported last year.
Pakistan’s most prominent cities, including Peshawar, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Sialkot, Quetta, Karachi, and Southern KP, declared no poliovirus case. Note that these cities show a higher positive poliovirus ratio during the former years.
The head of the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme, Dr. Shahzad Baig, called this a massive achievement for the country. He also stated, “With the detection of poliovirus in Lahore, we are initiating a poliovirus drive in 26 union councils whose sewage falls into the Gulshan Ravi ES site”.
Furthermore, he added that Lahore appeared to be polio positive three times during the former year. Yet, by December (2022), it became polio-free. Unfortunately, by the next month (January 2023), the polio positivity showed up, which indicates mass movement across the state.
Abdul Qadir Patel, Federal Health Minister, said: “The health authorities are determined to make polio-free Pakistan. Yet, it is requested to the parents to join hands with us to fight against this disease”.
Here it is pertinent to note that the countrywide polio vaccination drive started on January 16, 2023, with the sole purpose of making polio-free Pakistan by this year’s end. As Pakistan is trying hard to become a polio-free country, the first poliovirus detection of the year geared the health authorities to vaccinate the masses against the crippling disease.