Balochistan’s 23 polio samples test negative

QUETTA: All 23 environmental samples collected across Balochistan have tested negative for poliovirus, marking a positive development in the province’s ongoing efforts to eradicate the disease.

The results have prompted Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti and the provincial health minister to express satisfaction with the measures being taken to prevent the spread of polio. Officials have highlighted the importance of maintaining vaccination campaigns and strengthening surveillance to protect children from the potentially disabling disease.

Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti paid tribute to polio workers for their continued efforts to reach children and administer life-saving vaccines. He reiterated the provincial government’s commitment to ensuring the complete elimination of polio from Balochistan.

The provincial health minister said the negative environmental samples reflected three years of sustained efforts by health authorities and frontline workers. The results indicate progress in controlling the virus, although continued vigilance and consistent vaccination coverage remain essential to achieving eradication.

Environmental surveillance involves collecting wastewater samples from designated locations to detect the presence of poliovirus in communities. The virus can circulate among people without immediately causing visible symptoms, making sewage testing an important tool for identifying potential transmission.

Health authorities continue to rely on environmental monitoring alongside routine immunisation and door-to-door vaccination campaigns to identify risks and prevent outbreaks. Officials stress that every child must receive the recommended doses of the polio vaccine to ensure effective protection.

Despite the encouraging results from Balochistan, the wider national situation remains a concern. According to the reported figures, poliovirus was detected in 40 sewage samples collected across Pakistan, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and coordinated action among provincial and federal health authorities.

Officials have urged parents to ensure that children receive polio vaccines during every campaign. They have also called for continued cooperation from communities and health workers to prevent the virus from spreading and to move closer to a polio-free Pakistan.