Risk of polio transmission rises as season begins

LAHORE: Punjab health authorities have warned that the period of elevated risk for poliovirus spread has started and is expected to last until October, underscoring the need to maintain anti-polio efforts during the coming months.

Speaking at a workshop organised by the Punjab Emergency Operations Centre, Chief Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Uzma Kardar said the current weather was favourable for transmission of the virus and cautioned against any let-up in vigilance. She said Punjab had made notable progress, but stressed that the threat had not been eliminated.

Kardar said vaccination drives were carried out before the start of the high-risk season, contributing to a decline in the positivity rate of environmental samples in Punjab to two per cent, compared with 26 per cent at the end of 2025. She added that of 200 environmental samples collected in 2026, four were found positive for poliovirus, while all samples collected in May tested negative.

Emphasising that the province’s gains remained fragile, she said continued effort was necessary until eradication was achieved nationwide.

"The current weather conditions are highly conducive to poliovirus transmission. While Punjab has achieved remarkable progress, we cannot afford complacency until polio is eradicated completely and Pakistan achieves polio-free certification," Kardar said, and added that "Punjab is registering important successes against polio, but these gains remain temporary as long as the virus exists anywhere in Pakistan."