• In the past week, the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health confirmed the detection of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in environmental samples collected from two new districts and 11 already infected districts.
  • As of 29 November 2024, sewage samples collected from Kashmore, Larkana, DG Khan, Lahore, Jacobabad, Hyderabad, Karachi Malir, Karachi East, Karachi South, Karachi Korangi, Sukkur, Peshawar and Quetta between November 5 and November 11 tested positive for WPV1.
  • This year, 56 polio cases have been reported. The resurgence of poliovirus this year has put children nationwide at risk from a debilitating disease.
  • Polio is incurable, yet entirely preventable with the help of multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine that the Polio Programme brings to children at their doorsteps multiple times a year.
  • The next mass vaccination is planned for mid-December to reach more than 44 million children with the vaccine.
  • It is critical for parents and caregivers to ensure that their children under the age of five receive two drops of the oral polio vaccine whenever a vaccinator knocks on their door to protect children against polio’s paralyzing effects.