Punjab reports first polio case in years

Lab confirms presence of wild poliovirus type 1 in a child from Chakwal

ISLAMABAD:

Yet another child, the twelfth case in Pakistan this year, has been paralysed by wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1). This highlights the persistent risk of polio in Pakistan and the need to ensure complete vaccination of children.

The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health in Islamabad confirmed the detection of WPV1 in a child from Miani UC of Chakwal. The affected child showed symptoms of paralysis on July 16 and subsequent testing confirmed poliovirus infection.

This is the first polio case of the year in Punjab and the first case from Chakwal in nearly 10 years. Twelve polio cases have been reported this year – nine from Balochistan, two from Sindh and one from Punjab.

Coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication Captain (retd) Anwarul Haq said that wild poliovirus has spread to 58 districts of the country this year, posing a real threat to children everywhere.

“A case of polio anywhere is a risk to children everywhere. The oral polio vaccine offers protection from lifelong paralysis against this tragic disease. The programme is dedicated to ensuring that all children in the country receive multiple doses of the vaccine and we will continue to work for the wellbeing of our children,” he said.

WPV1 has also been found in sewage samples collected between July 9 and July 20 from Karachi East, Karachi Korangi, Islamabad and Multan. These districts had reported positive environmental samples previously this year as well.

Coordinator to the Prime Minister on National Health Services, Dr Malik Mukhtar Bharat, said, “It is a tragedy that children in Pakistan continue to fall prey to a disease that can be easily prevented with a vaccine that the government brings to people’s doorsteps,” he said, urging parents to ensure full vaccination for their children.

Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Polio Eradication, Ayesha Raza Farooq, said that the detection of a case from Punjab after a gap of four years is alarming.