October 24 is World Polio day declared by UN around the globe
But very few number of people know that one of the main cause of circulating
Polio Virus is worse Environment especially (positive Sewage water samples).
Worth mentioning #Polio the crippling disease has already killed and paralyzed
hundreds of thousands around the globe,
According to available figure of End Polio,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 drops)and Inactivated
Polio Vaccine(IPV) included in some countries in Routine Immunization now a days
also called Essential or mandatory Immunization. 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 best 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 2019 till date Polio disease
is eradicated from entire world except two neighbors countries Pakistan and
Afghanistan(WORTH MENTIONING Pakistan has recorded 76-positive polio cases WPV
till writing of this while Afghanistan has recorded-18 while in Pakistan out of
76-positive polio Wild Polio Virus WPV cases more than fifty cases are from KPK
& Ex FATA Now part of KPK province located on Afghanistan border the figures are
alarming and it is predicted from the spread of too many cases that during
Year2019 Pakistan is going to cross century more than 100-cases while in
previous three years positive polio cases numbers was less than thirty every
year that is why the situation is really alarming and need proper attention)with
additional Nigeria But Nigeria has not recorded a positive case since three
years that is why it may be declared Polio free country in start of year 2020 as
compared to 125-countries in year 1988 thirty years ago.
Pakistan and Afghanistan are the two countries having Polio which is matter of a
shame that in this era of 21st century when all countries across the globe even
Nigeria and African Countries eradicated polio while Pakistan and Afghanistan
are still endemic....
Regarding Sewage water samples, samples are taken from the soil and sewage water
for testing to see if there is evidence of the wild polio virus. For example,
during recent year in 2018-2019 there are more than 18 positive environmental
test results in Pakistan from time to time from some major cities
Karachi,Lahore,Peshawar,Rawalpindi,some cities of Baluchistan as well as KPK
especially Bannu & Waziristan ,Bajur ,Parachinar ,Kohat etc etc of Pakistan
which is alarming fact. The continuing positive environmental samples are
troubling and a big obstacle.
With addition to this the global bodies e,g Independent Monitoring Board(IMB)
run by UN_WHO & other organizations reports published about two neighboring
countries Afghanistan Pakistan regarding failure in Polio eradication Especially
continuously presence of Polio Virus in Environment & sewage is alarming and the
government of both neighboring countries need to take measures for this.
Main obstacle/hurdles in Polio Eradication in Afghanistan Pakistan ESPECIALLY in
Polio hub KPK & Ex FATA:-
> negative propaganda and Rumors about Vaccinations ESPECIALLY Polio that it is
western agenda(While in reality all other countries including Muslim countries
have Eridicated Polio via same startegy of polio two drops Oral Polio Vaccine
OPV around the globe).
> Fake finger marking issues in some of the households the community has already
permanent finger markers similar using in polio programme and they are using the
finger marking without vaccinations thus risking their kids and children
lives,this was reported and observed by Independent Monitors.
>In Afghanistan Pakistan (AfPak) border conflict region some areas are still
under millitants control due to conflict ESPECIALLY in Afghanistan side where
state is not actively present that is why the polio virus is circulating in
those areas very rapidly & also transfer to other areas in neighboring areas the
reason Polio virus spreading via stool. etc etc
For complete eradication of Polio from Pakistan & Afghanistan and both to become
Polio free countries with addition to three core strategies that are,
a)Quality Campaigns (SIAs Supplementary Immunization Activities NID & SNID of
two drops Oral Polio Vaccine.
b)Strengthening Routine/Essential Immunization in which addition to OPV
Inactivated Polio Vaccine(IPV) is also injected.
c)Strengthening Surveillance System/ Acute Flaccid Paralysis(AFP) as well as
Environmental Surveillance 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 will result the entire
World Free of Polio.
For this purpose Governments of both countries with addition to other segments
of society and different stakeholders especially community awareness and
advocacy regarding ending environmental pollution Sewage water Pollution
especially water pollution is needed which is root of all the major diseases
especially spread of Polio virus and disease currently a big global threat.
(THANKS & THE END).