Clear decline in poliovirus circulation observed across Punjab: EOC

LAHORE: Highlighting encouraging gains in the fight against polio, Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Coordinator and Head of the Punjab Polio Eradication Programme, Adeel Tasawur, said that a clear decline in polio virus circulation has been observed across Punjab, reflecting improved population immunity and sustained efforts by district health teams.

He made these remarks while chairing a high-level review meeting of Punjab’s four polio high-risk districts.

The senior health officials from Lahore, Rawalpindi, Rajanpur and Dera Ghazi Khan, focused on assessing risk trends, operational performance and preparedness for upcoming polio campaigns.

EOC Coordinator Punjab Adeel Tasawur credited district teams for the reduction in positive environmental samples, calling it evidence of improved campaign quality and effective field supervision. At the same time, he cautioned that the polio virus is still present in the environment, urging continued vigilance, particularly in Rawalpindi, Lahore and South Punjab.

He stressed that while progress has been made, key performance indicators of polio campaigns need further strengthening, especially the quality of frontline worker training, micro-planning for mobile and transient populations, and monitoring in remote and hard-to-reach areas. He also emphasized the importance of openly reporting and addressing operational challenges, advising districts against concealing issues faced during campaigns.

“Any manipulation of polio data will not be tolerated,” Tasawur warned, adding that strict action will be taken against those involved in data falsification. He noted that hiding information about missed children can result in renewed virus transmission, and directed teams to immediately cover all zero-dose and missed children with vaccination.

The EOC Coordinator further instructed districts to strengthen coverage plans for riverine areas of South Punjab and ensure intensive focus on coverage during catch-up days. Adeel Tasawur also announced that the first national polio campaign of 2026 will begin across Punjab on February 2, urging districts to learn from past gaps and apply those lessons to further improve campaign quality and effectiveness.

Polio is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects children under five years of age and can cause permanent paralysis. Pakistan remains one of the few countries where polio virus transmission has not yet been fully interrupted.

Punjab’s polio eradication programme focuses on maintaining high population immunity through repeated vaccination campaigns, strengthening surveillance, and reaching every child—particularly those in high-risk, mobile and underserved communities—to stop virus transmission and achieve eradication.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026