Polio Virus Found in Four Additional Environmental Samples
- Polio Virus Detected in Four New Districts
ISLAMABAD: The polio virus has been detected in four new districts—Dukki, Swabi, Sibi, and Killa Saifullah—bringing the total number of affected districts to 44 this year.
The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health confirmed the presence of Type-1 Wild Poliovirus in Dukki and Killa Saifullah, according to a lab official who wished to remain anonymous. “This brings the total count of infected districts for the year 2024 to 44,” the official said, adding that positive samples have been reported from Dukki, Killa Saifullah, Sibi, and Swabi.
Sibi and Swabi were already listed as infected districts. The day prior, it was reported that the virus had been found in samples from Bahawalpur and Dera Ismail Khan districts.
On Saturday, Pakistan reported its fourth polio case of the year, according to ARY News, citing sources within the Ministry of National Health. The latest victim is a 2-year-old boy from Bharkan union council in Sindh’s Shikarpur district. The virus was detected in stool samples, and the child had developed symptoms of paralysis on May 21.
This marks the fourth polio case in Pakistan in 2024, with the previous three cases reported in Balochistan. Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the only two countries where the poliovirus, which causes paralysis and can be life-threatening, is still endemic.
