ISLAMABAD: The National Institute of Health (NIH) said that new environmental samples of the four districts tested positive for wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1), taking the total number of districts with positive samples this year to 44. The newly affected districts include Dukki, Swabi, Sibi, and Killa Saifullah.
The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the NIH confirmed the presence of Type-1 Wild Poliovirus in Dukki and Killa Saifullah, according to an anonymous lab official.
“This brings the total count of infected districts for the year 2024 to 44,” he stated, adding, “The districts from where positive samples have been reported are Dukki, Killa Saifullah, Sibi, and Swabi.”
It should be noted that Sibi and Swabi were already listed as infected districts.
Just a day prior, it was reported that the virus had been found in samples from Bahawalpur and Dera Ismail Khan districts.
On Saturday, Pakistan reported the fourth poliovirus case of the year, according to ARY News, citing sources within the Ministry of National Health.
A 2-year-old boy from Bharkan union council in Sindh’s Shikarpur district was the latest victim. The health department official noted that the virus was detected in stool samples collected from the child, who had developed symptoms of paralysis on May 21.
This marks the fourth polio case in 2024, with the previous three cases also reported from Balochistan.
Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the only two countries where poliovirus, a life-threatening disease causing paralysis, is endemic.
