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First Post
15-07-2025
- Health
- First Post
Pakistan in polio grip: Lab tests find virus in 20 districts, 13 cases officially reported in 2025
At least 13 samples collected between May 8 and June 17, tested positive for Wild Poliovirus Type 1 (WPV1). The samples were collected from key cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad read more Pakistan is staring at a health crisis after authorities found the poliovirus in 20 districts in samples collected from sewage. The findings have raised an alarm in the country with 13 confirmed cases so far this year. A report by ARY News that quoted data from the National Reference Laboratory, at least 13 samples collected between May 8 and June 17, tested positive for Wild Poliovirus Type 1 (WPV1). The samples were collected from key cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad, as well as in districts across Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Meanwhile, Sindh reported the highest number of contaminated samples, with 14 testing positive across 10 districts. Lahore confirmed three cases, while Islamabad and four districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also reported positive samples. In Balochistan, the virus was detected in Mastung, Khuzdar, and Sibi. Additionally, Mirpur in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) showed evidence of the virus. Vaccine hesitancy The rise in confirmed cases of polio is reported at a time when Pakistan is witnessing a decline in vaccine takers. Recently, the country conducted a nationwide polio vaccination drive, where at least 60,000 people refused to get the shot, with 39,000 of them in Karachi alone. These refusals are posing as a roadblock to the country's polio eradication efforts. 'We're not just fighting a virus; we're battling misinformation and mistrust,' a senior official told ARY. Health experts caution that polio spreads mainly through contaminated water or food and can lead to paralysis or even death. With no cure available, vaccination remains the only form of protection. The World Health Organisation stresses that multiple oral doses are essential to safeguard children under five, who are most at risk. With the virus reappearing in both urban and rural sewage systems, officials emphasise that the next phase of Pakistan's fight against polio must address both the spread of the virus and vaccine hesitancy with equal urgency.
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
Poliovirus found in 20 Pakistani districts amid rising vaccine refusals: New sewage data signals resurgence; 13th polio case confirmed in 2025
Pakistan's battle against polio has hit a fresh setback, with the deadly virus detected in sewage samples across 20 districts, including the capital, just as the country grapples with rising vaccine refusal rates. According to ARY News, citing the National Reference Laboratory, 28 sewage samples collected between May 8 and June 17 tested positive for Wild Poliovirus Type 1 (WPV1). The presence of the virus was confirmed in major urban centres such as Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad, as well as in districts across Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Sindh reported the highest contamination, with 14 positive samples from 10 districts. Lahore recorded three cases, while Islamabad and four districts in KP also registered positive samples. In Balochistan, the virus was found in Mastung, Khuzdar, and Sibi. Mirpur in PoJK also showed signs of the virus. This alarming development follows Pakistan's second national polio vaccination drive earlier this year, which saw over 60,000 refusals, 39,000 of them in Karachi alone. These refusals, officials say, are now posing a major roadblock to the country's eradication efforts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Providers are furious: Internet access without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo 'We're not just fighting a virus; we're battling misinformation and mistrust,' a senior health official told ARY News. Pakistan remains one of only two countries where polio is still endemic, the other being Afghanistan. With the confirmation of another new case this week, the total number of polio cases in the country has reached 13 so far in 2025. Health experts warn that the virus spreads primarily through contaminated water or food and can cause paralysis or death. There is no cure for polio, making vaccination the only defense. The World Health Organisation emphasises that multiple oral doses are needed to protect children under five, the group most vulnerable to the disease. Despite ongoing national campaigns, large pockets in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remain difficult to access for vaccination teams, leaving thousands of children at risk. As the virus resurfaces in urban and rural sewers alike, officials say the next phase in Pakistan's anti-polio war must tackle both the virus, and vaccine hesitancy, with equal urgency.
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
14-04-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
City tops polio vaccine refusal cases
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said on Sunday that his ministry had issued guidelines for the prevention of the polio virus across the country but emphasised that that eradication of the virus from environment was the responsibility of authorities working at grassroots levels. Talking to media persons after chairing a meeting with the officials of anti-polio in Karachi, Kamal stated that the new phase of anti-polio campaign would commence from April 21. He urged the parents to get their children immunised against the polio virus for the healthy and better future of their children. Kamal revealed that there were 44,000 polio vaccine refusal cases in the country, out of which 34,000 were in Karachi, including 27,000 in the city's East District alone. "Out of them, 15,000 refusals were reported from Urdu-speaking parents and 10,000 from Pashto speaking families in the city," he said. Refuting the perception of polio vaccination's side or negative effects as rumours, he said that the anti-polio vaccination was totally safe and the parents should get their children vaccinated. He added that the vaccination was purchased by Unicef and it handed over by them to the government. The new anti-polio vaccine was announced, as officials said that environmental surveillance detected wild poliovirus in sewage samples from 20 districts of the country, though the data suggested a decline in overall virus circulation. According to the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH), 60 samples were collected from 51 districts. Of these, 25 tested positive for wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1), while 35 others showed no presence of the virus. The samples that confirmed the presence of WPV1 came from Dukki, Kech, Khuzdar, Lasbela, Loralai, Nasirabad, Pishin, Quetta, Usta Muhammad, Bannu, Kohat, Lakki Marwat, Peshawar, South Waziristan Lower, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Lahore, Multan, and Rahim Yar Khan districts. Samples from Islamabad, Gilgit, Rawalpindi, Swat, Sahiwal, Nowshera, and others districts tested negative, pointing to improved control measures in several areas. "The trend shows a decline in positive samples and a reduction in virus circulation in many areas," an NIH official said. Pakistan has reported only six polio cases so far in 2025, down from 74 in 2024. Officials credit improved immunisation drives since September last year. "Repeated vaccination strengthens immunity and helps stop the spread," the official added. (WITH INPUTS FROM APP)
