Three environmental samples exhibit WPV1 positivity

 

Update on Polio, Islamabad, March 27, 2024

Three sewage samples have tested positive for wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) this year, bringing the total number of infected districts to 29 and the number of positive environmental samples to 75.

WPV1 was discovered in a wastewater sample taken from Sukkur on March 4, from Chaman on March 5, and from Karachi Central on March 6, according to the National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication, which was notified by the NIH's Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication.

The virus that was identified from the samples has a genetic connection to the YB3A poliovirus genetic cluster, which was first detected in Afghanistan in January 2023 after it vanished from Pakistan in 2021. Every single sample that tested positive has this virus.Federal Secretary for Health Iftikhar Ali Shallwani made a statement in which he urged parents and carers to make sure their children under the age of five receive the oral polio vaccine whenever possible. Polio has no known treatment and can leave a kid paralysed for life.

In order to increase children's immunity, the Pakistan Polio Programme has previously carried out two statewide polio campaigns that have immunised over 43 million children under the age of five. In addition, an outbreak response campaign is currently being carried out in 26 districts, including Chaman and Sukkur. To maintain children's high level of immunity against polio, another campaign is scheduled for April and the upcoming months.

Three environmental samples tested positive for Wild Poliovirus Type 1 (WPV1) in recent developments pertaining to public health in Pakistan, raising worries and necessitating a more thorough investigation of the consequences. This discovery not only emphasises the ongoing difficulties in completely eliminating polio, but it also emphasises how important it is to have thorough plans and coordinated actions in order to successfully fight this crippling illness.
 

Why Environmental Sampling Is Important

In order to support more conventional techniques of case detection in polio surveillance, environmental sampling is an essential component. In contrast to clinical monitoring, which mainly uses symptomatic persons to identify cases, environmental sampling analyses wastewater or sewage to find poliovirus. This method offers insightful information about how the virus spreads among populations, particularly in places with potentially low vaccination rates.

With WPV2 and WPV3, the three poliovirus strains include Wild Poliovirus Type 1 (WPV1). WPV1 has been the main focus of eradication efforts among these strains because of its high prevalence and linked incidences of paralysis. Even though there has been a lot of success in lowering WPV1 transmission worldwide, it is still very difficult to eradicate in some areas, including Pakistan.
 

Consequences of Adequate Environmental Samples


The finding of WPV1 in environmental samples raises a number of questions about how well Pakistan's efforts to eradicate polio are working. First of all, it implies that the virus is still spreading throughout the community, pointing to areas where vaccination rates are low or difficulties reaching persons at high risk. Furthermore, the discovery of WPV1 in environmental samples highlights the possible risk of outbreaks, the significance of increased surveillance, and
 

Overcoming Obstacles in the Eradication of Polio

Numerous obstacles must be overcome in order to completely eradicate polio, including vaccine reluctance, false information, and logistical difficulties in getting to rural or conflict-affected areas. A diversified strategy is needed to get over these barriers and make steady progress towards the eradication of polio.


Boosting Vaccine Initiatives:

 To increase population immunity and stop the spread of the poliovirus, targeted vaccination campaigns in high-risk areas and increased routine immunisation efforts are necessary.


Enhancing Surveillance Systems:

 Early detection, prompt response, and successful containment of polio epidemics depend on enhancing the sensitivity and coverage of surveillance systems, which include clinical and environmental surveillance.
Community Involvement and Advocacy: Overcoming vaccine hesitancy and guaranteeing the universal acceptance of polio immunisation depend critically on interacting with communities, resolving vaccination-related issues, and building trust in healthcare institutions.



Cross-Sectoral Collaboration: 

To effectively coordinate efforts, make the most of resources, and carry out all-encompassing polio eradication programmes, cooperation between government agencies, non-governmental organisations, healthcare providers, and international partners is essential.
 

The Need for Continued Action
 

The finding of WPV1 in environmental samples is a clear reminder of the continual danger that polio poses and the necessity of taking consistent work to eradicate it. Even though there has been a lot of progress achieved worldwide, there are still areas where the disease is spread, thus nations like Pakistan where the disease is prevalent must remain vigilant and committed to combating it.

In summary, the discovery of WPV1 in environmental samples highlights the necessity of redoubling efforts and bolstering interventions to get past the last obstacles standing in the way of polio eradication. We can work towards a future free of polio and make sure that no child is harmed by this preventable disease by emphasising vaccination coverage, improving surveillance systems, encouraging community engagement, and fostering teamwork.