High-risk zones: Of 64 samples, over a third had polio

WHO report indicates alarming incidence of the crippling virus in sewages.

ISLAMABAD:

More than a third of 64 sewage samples collected from high-risk zones in major cities and towns across the country by World Health Organisation (WHO) have tested positive for polio virus.

This was revealed in a quarterly report on polio alert issued by the WHO on Tuesday. The report comes on the heels of new polio case --- Pakistan’s 16th this year --- emerging in Khyber Agency.

According to the report, 26 samples tested positive for polio including seven out of 12 sewage samples collected from Lahore, seven out of eight in Peshawar, four out of seven in Gadap Town in Karachi, two out of four in Rawalpindi and two out of seven in Quetta.

Last year, 21 out of 24 samples tested positive for polio virus in Karachi’s Gadap Town, 19 out of 36 in Lahore, 21 out of 36 in Multan and 11 out of 12 in Rawalpindi.

The positive samples indicate that the virus is circulating in the area even if no one has been paralysed by polio there yet, stated the report.

Chief of the Polio Control Unit at WHO, Dr Elias Durry, said, “Selection of inappropriate vaccinators from outside of the community, cultural barriers and heavy migration from tribal belts and the Quetta block, as indicated by a genetic analysis of isolated virus from environmental samples, play a role in aggravating the situation.” He added, “Most importantly, however, it is the lack of basic infrastructure and proper sewerage systems that expose children to the risk of polio.”

Dr Durry said they are working with partners for implementation of basic sanitary services in areas where polio is present. They have also changed their strategy to hire local female volunteers from the community to help the residents themselves take ownership of polio eradication education, awareness and vaccination activities. He added, “The only way to rid a country of polio is to ensure that each and every child is immunised against polio during every polio round.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 9^th, 2012.