Health officials in Pakistan have confirmed the presence of the WPV1 strain of the poliovirus in 21 regions, raising concerns about the virus’s continued spread, Khaama Press reported. Samples collected from areas including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, and Muzaffarabad tested positive at the National Institute of Health.
The discovery follows recent environmental samples from 26 other locations also testing positive for WPV1, a highly contagious strain of polio. Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the only countries where the virus has not been eradicated, posing a serious health risk to children.
Experts attribute the persistence of polio to gaps in vaccination coverage and insufficient public awareness. Authorities plan to intensify immunization campaigns and strengthen community outreach to curb transmission. Global health organizations continue to support Pakistan’s efforts to eliminate the disease.
