Poliovirus found in another environmental sample from KP.

ISLAMABAD -- While the PakisAtan Polio Laboratory at the National Institute of Health confirmed the detection of wild poliovirus in an environmental sample from district South Waziristan of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Islamic DevelAopment Bank approved a financing contribution of $100 million, inclusive of a $35 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to the fourth phase of polio eradication project in Pakistan.

According to the Pakistan Polio Lab, the wild poliovirus Type-1, which was isolated from a sewage sample collected from Qureshi Mohalla in the district's Wacha Khaura union council, was genetically linked to poliovirus found in sewage sample collected from the same district in September 2022.

Since three of the six positive samples detected in Pakistan this year belong to Afghanistan, officials believe there are 75pc chances of its spread from the neighbouring country where 22 environmental samples have been found positive, though both countries have reported one case each.

Talking to Dawn, National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) for Polio Eradication Coordinator Dr Shahzad Baig said: 'As per genome sequencing three of six samples reported from Pakistan belonged to Afghan origin.' He believed there were only 25pc chances of local spread of virus in Pakistan, as there were 75pc chances the virus would spread from Afghanistan.

Islamic Development Bank approves $100m for polio eradication from Pakistan; immunisation drive in over 70 districts to begin tomorrow

Just a few days back, a four-year-old child has been infected with polio virus in Afghanistan due to which both countries have reported one each case of polio virus, he said.

Replying to a question, Mr Baig said the polio campaign was going to start in over 70 districts, except Quetta where it would be held after a few weeks, as currently security forces were busy in providing security for national games.

In a statement, federal Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel said the detection of poliovirus in the environment was an indication that Pakistan's polio surveillance system was working efficiently to locate virus circulation and take steps to prevent any further transmission. 'Until we eradicate polio in Pakistan, the virus will continue to be a threat to children here and everywhere. Parents and caregivers, it is imperative that you understand the risk to your children and make sure that they receive polio drops in every campaign. This is the only way to ensure...