Polio positive samples

It is perplexing that 32 environmental samples collected this year confirm the detection of Type-1 Wild Poliovirus. Twenty-two of them have been detected in K-P, out of which 10 were from the Bannu district alone. Eight samples from Punjab and one from Sindh came out as positive. Genetic sequencing of the latest positive sample collected from Bannu shows a link with a polio case reported from North Waziristan. This is a clear indication that the nation-wide End Polio Pakistan campaign is either failing to meet its objectives or has some major flaws.

To make matter worse, the kerfuffle between the state and different factions along with deep public mistrust has led to significant resistant. Apart from hoaxes surrounding the campaign itself, security officials and polio workers are targeted and killed to send a clear message to the state and the army to halt military operations. On Tuesday, a policeman guarding a polio vaccination team was shot dead in the Pishin district of Balochistan, where a week-long campaign is being carried out to inoculate children. Twenty such attacks have been reported in the past 15 months, pointing to the fact that greater protection for polio workers is needed. It must also be realised that an outbreak of polio will benefit no parties. Instead, it will be the citizens — families and children — who will suffer immensely.

The state must take the first step and negotiate with resistance forces to stop such attacks, even if it entails giving certain concessions. There must also be serious deliberation on these positive environmental samples. The government should consider incorporating the treatment of sewage and municipal waste under the programme to kill existing viruses that have spread to different regions. Timely action will prove fruitful as the outbreak and spread seems to be worsening with each passing month.