Polio the crippling disease has
already killed and paralyzed hundreds of thousands around the globe,But very
limited number of people know that one of the main cause of circulating Polio
Virus is Water pollution(positive Sewage water samples)where the Polio Virus
spread in Environment.
According to available figure of End Polio & World Health Organization(WHO),data
thirty years ago during year 1988(A.D) Polio disease was endemic in 125
countries across the globe by killing or paralyzing more than 350000 people
annually. After that due to formation and efforts of Global Polio Eradication
Initiative (GPEI) by starting Vaccination/campaign of both Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV
two oral drops)and Inactivated Polio Vaccine(IPV injectable form) included in
some countries in Routine Immunization the positive polio cases remarkably
decreased around the globe.With addition to this by minimizing the water
pollution and improving sanitation system in many countries after taking
Environmental samples of sewage water which is the breading place for growth and
spreading of Polio Virus remarkable decrease occurred in Polio disease in last
three decades.
Due to above mentioned efforts especially by minimizing the water pollution and
improving sanitation system in many countries after taking Environmental samples
of sewage water which is the best breading place for growth and spreading of
Polio Virus.NOW according to latest figures in year 2018 Polio disease is
eradicated from entire world except two neighbors countries Pakistan and
Afghanistan as compared to 125-countries in year 1988 thirty years ago.
Worth mentioning in Year 2014-16 Polio was endemic in three countries Pakistan
Afghanistan and Nigeria, But Nigeria eradicated Polio Pakistan and Afghanistan
are the two countries having Polio which is matter of a shame that even in this
era of 21st century when all countries across the globe even Nigeria and African
Countries also facing conflict like situation eradicated polio while Pakistan
and Afghanistan are still endemic....
Regarding Sewage water samples In areas where polio cases occur, samples are
taken from the soil and sewage for testing to see if there is evidence of the
wild polio virus. For example, during this year in 2018 there have been 15
positive environmental test results in Afghanistan and similarly positive sewage
samples results are coming from some major cities Karachi,Peshawar Kohat And
even from Afghan borders areas Distt: Bajur of Ex FATA etc etc of Pakistan which
is alarming fact.The continuing positive environmental samples are troubling and
a big obstacle and this should be focused on priority.
For complete eradication of Polio from Pakistan & Afghanistan and both to become
Polio free countries with addition to three core strategies i.e,
a)Quality Campaigns NID(National Immunization Days) & special focused areas
SNID(Sub NID) of Oral Polio Vaccine(OPV two oral polio drops to every child
under age of five in ever Campaign).
b)Strengthening Routine Immunization in which with addition to OPV, Inactivated
Polio Vaccine(IPV) is also injected.
c)Strengthening Surveillance System/ Acute Flaccid Paralysis(AFP) as well as
Environmental Surveillance or Sewage Water, the key factor is also having a
clean Environment especially by ending or minimizing Sewage Water pollution.
By strengthen Environmental Surveillance Sewage water samples to completely
eradicate Polio from two neighbors Pakistan & Afghanistan which will result the
entire World Free of Polio.
Worth mentioning in year 2018 till date Pakistan has reported six polio
cases,three from Baluchistan province one from Sindh and one each from
KhyberPakhtoonkhawa KPK & Ex FATA(Hence two from KPK Province after merger of Ex
FATA with KPK)While neighboring Afghanistan during year 2018 till date has
reported more than a dozen positive polio cases which is also alarming fact.
For complete Eradication of Polio the Governments & civil society of both
countries with addition to other segments of society and different stakeholders
especially community awareness and advocacy regarding ending Sewage water
Pollution especially water pollution.The positive sewage water sample tested in
laboratory is alarming and root of all major diseases e.g, hepatitis cholera and
especially spread of Polio virus that is a global threat and we all around globe
need joint efforts.
Thanking You.