Lab test links polio virus to Afghan strain

The environmental samples collected from Peshawar city and District Dera Bugti have tested positive for wild poliovirus.
Pakistan Polio Laboratory at the National Institute of Health (NIH), which also serves as the WHO Regional Reference Lab for poliovirus confirmed that the genetic testing had linked the virus in all samples to the cluster circulating in Afghanistan.

The development was confirmed by the Ministry of Health spokesperson.

Meanwhile, Caretaker Federal Minister for Health Dr Nadeem Jan urged parents to ensure that their children were up to date on routine immunisation and receive the oral polio vaccine repeatedly.

“Every virus detection is a stark reminder of the collective responsibility we hold to protect our communities. I urge parents and caregivers to vaccinate their children in every immunisation round and create awareness on the high risk that wild poliovirus poses to our children,” he said.

The minister maintained that thorough epidemiological investigations will be held for each detection to identify the affected population and plan swift responses to build immunity, adding that the government had already started a national polio immunisation drive to vaccinate children under five.