In a distressing development, the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health has confirmed the presence of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in sewage samples collected from ten districts known to be already battling infections. This shocking revelation underscores the urgency of the public health threat currently facing Pakistan.

From November 18 to 25, 2024, sewage samples taken from Gwadar, Sibi, Khuzdar, Dukki, Hub, Lasbela, Noshki, Bannu, DI Khan, and Lahore tested positive for WPV1. This alarming discovery comes amid rising polio cases in the country, with 64 instances reported so far this year. The resurgence of this debilitating virus places children at grave risk, as polio can lead to lifelong paralysis.

Polio, though incurable, is preventable through timely vaccinations. The oral polio vaccine (OPV), administered multiple times a year by the Polio Programme, is crucial in safeguarding children. Additionally, routine vaccinations against various childhood ailments provided free through the Expanded Programme for Immunization bolster children's immunity against infections, including polio.

This week, the Pakistan Polio Programme is conducting its final polio vaccination campaign of the year, aiming to immunize over 44 million children under the age of five. With the threat of paralytic polio looming large, it is essential for parents and caregivers to ensure that their young children receive two drops of the OPV during this campaign and every future initiative. Every dose counts in protecting the nation’s children from the life-altering consequences of this disease.

As awareness grows, it’s crucial for communities to mobilize and support these vaccination efforts. The future of generations to come depends on immediate action, vigilance, and a collective commitment to extinguishing polio once and for all. Don’t wait for the vaccinators to knock—take action now to protect your children!