Type-1 Wild Poliovirus (WPV1) has been found in 18 sites, including four new districts: Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Swabi, and Swat.
Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio
The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad confirmed the detection. This raises the overall number of affected districts for 2024 to 38.
In Bannu, the sample was collected on April 24 from the Hinjal-Noorabad site, making it the district’s first positive sample this year. The virus is YB3A cluster, with 99.77 percent genetic similarity to the virus discovered in Pishin on April 1.
The sample at Lakki Marwat was obtained on April 22 from the Tube Well Gali sample collecting site. This is the first positive sample from the District Lakki Marwat this year.
The Swabi sample was taken on April 18 at the Shah Mansoor and Kala Pull Badray sites.
Saidu Sharif of Swat provided the sample on April 25. The virus is 99.77 percent identical to the virus discovered in Swabi on April 18.
Last Friday, PM Shehbaz Sharif optimism that the government, along with other nations and national institutions, will be able to kill off polio in Pakistan very soon.
Meeting with Delegation
During a meeting with a delegation from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) headed by Dr. Christopher Elias, Chair of the Polio Oversight Board and President of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation‘s Global Development Division, the PM made it clear the government was fully invested in clearing the country of this lethal illness.
The prime minister ordered Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to start a combined education effort in partnership with the GPEI.
To read our blog on “Parents who reject polio drops can be fined or locked up,” click here
