Pakistan’s National Polio Laboratory has confirmed the detection of Wild Poliovirus Type-1 in sewage samples collected from Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Pishin, Balochistan. The Peshawar sample is connected to the virus found in Nangarhar, Afghanistan, while the Pishin sample is linked to the virus in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
This year, the detection of the virus in Peshawar marks the 11th positive sample, indicating the persistent presence of poliovirus in the region. Additionally, the sewage sample collected from Turwa, Pishin district is the first positive sample from Balochistan this year.
In response to the situation, a nationwide campaign will be launched in three phases. The first phase will commence on September 25, followed by the second phase on October 2, and the final phase from October 9 to 13. The campaign, known as the Outbreak Response (OBR), will primarily focus on the districts of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.