Latest news with #Poliovirus
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
NIH confirms three polio cases in K-P, Sindh
Listen to article Pakistan has reported three new polio cases, raising the total number of confirmed cases in 2025 to 17, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad. The latest cases were confirmed by the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at NIH on Sunday. Two of the cases were reported from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P)— in the districts of Lakki Marwat and North Waziristan — while the third was from Umerkot district in Sindh. The affected children include a 15-month-old girl from Union Council Takhtikhel in Lakki Marwat, a six-month-old girl from Union Council Mir Ali-3 in North Waziristan, and a five-year-old boy (60 months old) from Union Council Chajro in Umerkot, Sindh. With these additions, the provincial breakdown of polio cases this year stands at 10 in K-P, five in Sindh, and one each in Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan. Polio is a highly contagious, incurable disease that can cause lifelong paralysis. Health officials warn that the only effective protection is through repeated doses of the oral polio vaccine (OPV) for every child under five, alongside the timely completion of essential immunisations. 'Every unvaccinated child is at risk and can also pose a risk to others. Poliovirus can resurface wherever immunity gaps exist,' an official said, stressing the importance of vaccination coverage. A special anti-polio campaign is currently under way from July 21 to 27 in border Union Councils, aligned with Afghanistan's sub-national polio campaign. A fractional IPV-OPV campaign also launched in District Chaman on July 21 and is scheduled to expand to six additional districts of Balochistan from July 28. Health authorities have reiterated that polio eradication is a collective responsibility. 'While frontline polio workers continue to deliver life-saving vaccines, it is equally important for all parents and caregivers to ensure that their children receive every dose,' the official added. Communities are urged to support vaccination drives, counter misinformation, and encourage full immunisation to prevent the resurgence of the virus.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Polio continues to cripple Pakistan as virus yet again detected across 20 sewage samples
Poliovirus has been detected in 20 sewage sample testing across Pakistan, as reported by ARY News on Sunday citing National Reference Laboratory. As per Ary News, referring to details, the National Reference Laboratory has completed nationwide sewage sample testing, with the Poliovirus detected in a total of 28 sewage samples from 20 districts, including Islamabad, have tested positive for the virus. Citing sources, Ary News observed that the environmental samples collected from sewer lines tested positive for Wild Poliovirus Type 1 (WPV1). These environmental samples were taken between May 8 and June 17. In Sindh, 14 sewage samples from 10 districts tested positive for polio. Three samples in Lahore also came back positive. In Balochistan, samples from three districts--Mastung, Khuzdar, and Sibi--confirmed the presence of poliovirus. Five samples from four districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also tested positive. Two samples from two locations in Islamabad were also confirmed positive. In PoJK, one sample from district Mirpur tested positive for the poliovirus. Earlier this year, Pakistan had recorded over 60,000 cases of polio vaccine refusal during its nationwide anti-polio campaign conducted between April 21 and 27 this year, according to a report by ARY News citing official sources. The ARY News report stated that a total of 60,906 polio vaccine refusals were documented during the country's second national polio eradication drive of 2025. Sindh reported the highest number of refusals, with 39,073 cases, out of which more than 37,000 were from Karachi alone, the report said. Balochistan followed with over 3,500 refusal cases, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded a vaccine refusal rate of 0.4 per cent, according to the data. Instances of parental refusal were also reported from Punjab and Islamabad, as per the ARY News report. The reluctance to vaccinate remains a significant hurdle in Pakistan's battle against polio. The latest data comes amid confirmation of another new polio case in the country, bringing the total number of cases in 2025 to 13. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), polio is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus. The virus is transmitted person-to-person, mainly through the faecal-oral route or, less frequently, by a common vehicle (for example, contaminated water or food), and multiplies in the intestine. The disease can cause paralysis and even death, with no cure available. However, vaccination remains the most effective way to protect children from this crippling disease. Multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine and completing the routine vaccination schedule for children under five are crucial to providing high immunity against polio. Children under 5 years of age are mainly affected by polio, according to the WHO. However, anyone of any age who is unvaccinated can contract the disease. There is no cure for polio, it can only be prevented. The polio vaccine, given multiple times, can protect a child for life. Pakistan is one of the two polio-endemic nations in the world, alongside Afghanistan. The number of polio cases reduced significantly every year in Pakistan until the recent rise in cases. Despite national campaigns being conducted in Pakistan to eradicate polio, southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains a challenge due to access issues and barriers to house-to-house vaccination, leaving many children unvaccinated and vulnerable.
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Polio continues to cripple Pakistan as virus yet again detected across 20 sewage samples
Poliovirus has been detected in 20 sewage sample testing across Pakistan, as reported by ARY News on Sunday citing National Reference Laboratory. As per Ary News, referring to details, the National Reference Laboratory has completed nationwide sewage sample testing, with the Poliovirus detected in a total of 28 sewage samples from 20 districts, including Islamabad, have tested positive for the virus. Citing sources, Ary News observed that the environmental samples collected from sewer lines tested positive for Wild Poliovirus Type 1 (WPV1). These environmental samples were taken between May 8 and June 17. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Brain tumor has left my son feeling miserable; please help! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo In Sindh, 14 sewage samples from 10 districts tested positive for polio. Three samples in Lahore also came back positive. In Balochistan, samples from three districts--Mastung, Khuzdar, and Sibi--confirmed the presence of poliovirus. Five samples from four districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also tested positive. Two samples from two locations in Islamabad were also confirmed positive. In PoJK, one sample from district Mirpur tested positive for the poliovirus. Live Events Earlier this year, Pakistan had recorded over 60,000 cases of polio vaccine refusal during its nationwide anti-polio campaign conducted between April 21 and 27 this year, according to a report by ARY News citing official sources. The ARY News report stated that a total of 60,906 polio vaccine refusals were documented during the country's second national polio eradication drive of 2025. Sindh reported the highest number of refusals, with 39,073 cases, out of which more than 37,000 were from Karachi alone, the report said. Balochistan followed with over 3,500 refusal cases, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded a vaccine refusal rate of 0.4 per cent, according to the data. Instances of parental refusal were also reported from Punjab and Islamabad, as per the ARY News report. The reluctance to vaccinate remains a significant hurdle in Pakistan's battle against polio. The latest data comes amid confirmation of another new polio case in the country, bringing the total number of cases in 2025 to 13. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), polio is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus. The virus is transmitted person-to-person, mainly through the faecal-oral route or, less frequently, by a common vehicle (for example, contaminated water or food), and multiplies in the intestine. The disease can cause paralysis and even death, with no cure available. However, vaccination remains the most effective way to protect children from this crippling disease. Multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine and completing the routine vaccination schedule for children under five are crucial to providing high immunity against polio. Children under 5 years of age are mainly affected by polio, according to the WHO. However, anyone of any age who is unvaccinated can contract the disease. There is no cure for polio, it can only be prevented. The polio vaccine, given multiple times, can protect a child for life. Pakistan is one of the two polio-endemic nations in the world, alongside Afghanistan. The number of polio cases reduced significantly every year in Pakistan until the recent rise in cases. Despite national campaigns being conducted in Pakistan to eradicate polio, southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains a challenge due to access issues and barriers to house-to-house vaccination, leaving many children unvaccinated and vulnerable.
Express Tribune
17-06-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Two Congo virus cases admitted to Hayatabad Medical Complex in Peshawar
Listen to article Two patients affected by the Congo virus have been admitted to Hayatabad Medical Complex in Peshawer with their condition reported to be out of danger. According to the hospital spokesperson, 28-year-old Aijaz from Karak was brought to the hospital in critical condition on June 14. Another 23-year-old patient, Safiyan, also from Karak, was admitted on June 15. After receiving medical treatment, both patients are now stable and no longer in critical condition. The spokesperson added that both affected individuals work in animal care. Read: Poliovirus detected in Hyderabad sample In April, Pakistan's National Institute of Health (NIH) issued public health advisories regarding the risks of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) and the increasing dangers of heatwaves and sunstroke, emphasising the growing climate-related challenges in the country. The advisory urged healthcare institutions and authorities to implement timely and appropriate measures to prevent disease outbreaks during the summer months. CCHF, a potentially fatal viral disease caused by the Nairovirus, was primarily transmitted to humans through tick bites, especially from infected livestock like goats, sheep, and rabbits. The virus could also spread through direct contact with blood or tissues of infected animals, particularly during or after slaughter. Human-to-human transmission was possible, especially in clinical or domestic settings. According to NIH data, Pakistan had reported 61 cases of CCHF in 2024. The advisory recommended wearing light-coloured clothing to make ticks more visible and advised citizens to avoid areas with heavy tick infestations. It also encouraged the safe removal of any visible ticks from skin or clothing.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Polio virus detected in children without symptoms: What does it really mean?
On May 9, 2025, health officials in Papua New Guinea reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) that they found a type of poliovirus called circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 ( cVDPV2 ) in stool samples from two healthy kids in Lae City, Morobe Province. These samples were part of a routine check after an earlier environmental sample from April 4 showed traces of the virus. The kids didn't show any symptoms, but the virus was present in their systems. What is a vaccine-derived virus? The oral polio vaccine (OPV) contains a weakened version of the virus to help build immunity. In rare cases, especially in areas with low vaccination coverage, this weakened virus can circulate in the community and mutate over time. If it changes enough, it can cause illness just like the wild virus. That's what's referred to as vaccine-derived poliovirus. Why is this a threat? Even though the kids were healthy, the presence of cVDPV2 indicates that the virus is circulating in the community. This is concerning because Papua New Guinea has low vaccination rates, especially in certain provinces. For instance, in Morobe Province, the coverage for the third dose of the oral polio vaccine (OPV3) was just 44% in 2024. Low vaccination rates mean more people are susceptible to the virus, increasing the risk of an outbreak. Poliovirus can cause a wide range of symptoms from nothing at all to very serious illness. About 70% of people infected with poliovirus don't feel sick at all. They carry the virus but show no signs. Mild symptoms like fever, sore throat, headache, fatigue, nausea, stomach pain usually appear 3 to 7 days after exposure and go away on their own. In about 1 in 200 to 1 in 2,000 cases, the virus invades the nervous system, which can lead to Meningitis (inflammation of the brain and spinal cord lining), stiffness in the neck, back pain, and headaches and Paresthesia (pins and needles feeling in the legs or arms). Even after recovery, some develop post-polio syndrome decades later, with muscle weakness, fatigue and joint pain. About 70% of polio infections are completely asymptomatic. That means the person carries the virus and can spread it to others, but they don't feel sick at all. Around 24% of infected people get mild symptoms. This looks like the flu, fever, sore throat, fatigue, and maybe a headache or upset stomach. These cases usually go away in a few days and often go unnoticed. Even if someone has no symptoms, they can still shed the virus in their stool and spread it—especially in places with poor sanitation or low vaccine coverage. So in short: Most people who get polio don't know they have it—but they can still pass it on. That's what makes surveillance and vaccination super important. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
