Wild poliovirus found in Bannu sewage

Poliovirus has been found in the environmental sample of Bannu, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Wednesday.

The National Polio Laboratory has confirmed the presence of Wild Poliovirus-I in the Muslimabad Sokari sewage.

This is the 11th time that the poliovirus has been detected in Bannu’s sewage during current year.

The sample taken from the sewage was taken to the laboratory for polio test last month. 

Overall, it is 37th case of poliovirus found in the sewage across the country this year.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Tuesday reiterated that the government remained committed to ending all forms of polio in the country.

The prime minister had a telephonic conversation with Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) Bill Gates and discussed the ongoing public health and social sector programmes supported by BMGF in Pakistan.

While expressing concern over-reporting of new cases in 2022 after one year without any polio case, the prime minister noted that there had been a pause in polio cases since September 2022.

In light of the recent flooding which had adversely affected the ongoing polio vaccination efforts due to large-scale displacements and destruction of healthcare infrastructure, the prime minister reaffirmed that the government was actively implementing the special emergency response plan and would continue to adapt and find ways to reach out to children in these challenging times.

Gates deeply regretted the loss of lives in the recent flooding in Pakistan.

He also acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts to eradicate polio and reiterated his Foundation’s continued support to Pakistan for ensuring that no child was at risk of paralysis due to poliovirus.

Reporter Kifayat Ali Shah