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ISLAMABAD —The recent detection of poliovirus in sewage water samples collected across 30 districts in Pakistan has reignited concerns about a potential surge in polio cases.
Among those deeply troubled is Musal Khan, a polio survivor who navigates life in a wheelchair. Having represented Pakistan in wheelchair cricket at the global level, Musal Khan doesn't want others to endure the same hardships he has faced.
Reflecting on his own experience, Khan, who contracted polio at age 2, told VOA, "My father didn't permit polio vaccination for me, leading to a lifetime confined to a wheelchair."
Khan urges all parents to give polio drops to their children and protect them from lifelong disabilities.
His father, Awal Khan, carries a heavy burden of guilt for his son's condition. He joins Musal in urging parents not to obstruct polio workers and health officials from administering the vaccine to their children.
Polio, a highly contagious viral illness primarily affecting children under 5, spreads through feces, oral transmission or contaminated food and water. While incurable, it can be prevented through vaccination. Health experts warn that the poliovirus is a persistent presence in Pakistan, particularly in urban centers such as Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar.
Plan to eradicate polio
Shahzad Baig, the coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Center, has outlined Pakistan's goal of eradicating imported strains of the poliovirus, particularly those originating from neighboring Afghanistan, by the end of 2024.
To achieve this, he announced the implementation of eight comprehensive polio vaccination campaigns scheduled throughout the year.
Despite concerted efforts, the recent emergence of two polio cases in Chaman and Dera Bugti underscored the challenges facing Pakistan. Moreover, alarming findings from the analysis of more than 83 sewage water samples collected across 30 districts have revealed the presence of the virus.
Baig emphasized the importance of vaccination efforts considering these findings. He noted that even in areas where polio drops are administered, children remain susceptible to the virus due to deficiencies in the drainage infrastructure. Broken sewer lines contribute to the contamination of drinking water sources, facilitating the transmission of polio.
Baig stressed the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address not only vaccination coverage but also the improvement of sanitation infrastructure to prevent the spread of poliovirus.
This story originated in VOA's Urdu Service.