Poliovirus resurfaces in Peshawar

Type one wild poliovirus has been detected once again in environmental samples collected from Peshawar, raising concerns about the persistence of the virus in the region.

On July 4, samples were taken from Nary Khwar (nullah), located on the outskirts of Peshawar, and this marks the fourth positive sample obtained from the same site. So far this year, five samples have tested positive for the poliovirus in Peshawar.

Health officials have noted that the detected virus is genetically similar to the strain originating from the Behsud area of Afghanistan, which subsequently made its way into Pakistan. This highlights the transnational nature of the polio outbreak and the need for coordinated efforts to control the spread of the virus.

In response to previous confirmations of the poliovirus in environmental samples from various areas, the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (PEOC) in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) initiated a five-day special anti-polio campaign in specific districts in June. The goal was to contain the virus and protect children from its potential threats.

In May, the presence of the poliovirus was verified by the National Polio Laboratory at the National Institute of Health in samples collected from Peshawar, Hangu, and South Waziristan districts, signaling a concerning presence of the virus in these regions.

To address the situation, the PEOC conducted a focused polio campaign in select districts, vaccinating over 2.2 million children aged five years or younger in seven complete districts, including Nowshera, Peshawar, Mohmand, Hangu, Khyber, Kohat, and Charsadda. Additionally, 107,000 children residing in Afghan refugee camps in Buner district, Lower Chitral, Lower Dir, Haripur, Mansehra, Malakand, Mardan, Swabi, and specific union councils along the Pak-Afghan border were also vaccinated against polio.

During a high-level meeting at the PEOC, led by Muhammad Asif Rahim, the additional secretary health for polio/coordinator, and attended by officials from the health department, UNICEF, WHO, and other relevant departments, the concern over the poliovirus confirmation was addressed. It was emphasized that this special campaign is crucial to achieve the complete eradication of the virus, and parents were urged to cooperate fully with polio workers to protect their children from this life-threatening disease.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 27^th, 2023.