By W. Ali Khan
TWA
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ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — Pakistan’s Health Ministry has identified the presence of the poliovirus in environmental samples across nine districts, including Quetta, Mastung, Multan, Peshawar, Nowshera, and Hab. Additional cases were reported in Karachi Malir, Karachi South, and D.I.Khan, with officials noting that the virus in all samples originated from across the border.
To combat the outbreak, a nationwide anti-polio drive has commenced, aiming to administer vaccine drops to over 23 million children under the age of five. Polio teams from the health department will conduct door-to-door visits in all 159 districts, with Lahore, Faisalabad, and Multan identified as particularly sensitive cities.
The spokesperson emphasized the crucial role of the polio vaccine in preventing transmission, urging parents to ensure their children receive the vaccine during the week-long campaign in Punjab and Sindh, where 10.03 million children are set to receive anti-polio vaccine drops.
