Pakistan just received its new batch of polioviruses. The total number of districts affected now amounts to 44. The districts found to be polio-positive were Dukki, Swabi, Sibi, and Kila Saifullah.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) announced the total amounting to 44 in 2024. This news was reaffirmed by the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio eradication. The presence of- the Wild Poliovirus type-1- was confirmed in Killa Saifullah and Dukki.
Districts of Sibi and Sawabi were already positive for the virus.
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Earlier on, the Ministry of Health had confirmed the presence of the virus in Bahawalpur and Dera Ismail Khan. A sample from Sindh had confirmed a 2-year-old infected with the virus; samples- were collected from the infant’s stool.
It is to be noted the poliovirus only exists in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
