Environmental surveillance has detected wild poliovirus in a sewage sample from Hyderabad, according to a report of the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication, at the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad. The positive sample has been detected for the sixth time this year, under a monthly surveillance mechanism in which samples are collected from sewage pumping stations. The last positive sample was found in May.
In light of the finding, a meeting of the district polio eradication committee was held on Monday, under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Zain-ul-Abidin Memon and SSP Adeel Hussain Chandio. Participants were briefed about the upcoming polio eradication campaign scheduled from September 1 to 7, 2025. Officials also informed the meeting that the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination drive will commence on September 15, 2025.
During the drive, children under five years of age will be administered anti-polio drops. Memon termed the campaign a national responsibility, and directed officials to closely monitor the movement of people coming from other districts, to prevent the spread of the virus. Further, the DC emphasised that during the rainy season, special attention must be paid to densely populated areas, in order to ensure no child is left unvaccinated. Departments were urged to extend maximum support to field teams, and the DC stressed the need for effective coverage in all union councils, along with the timely submission of performance reports.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ