Wild Poliovirus is a highly infectious viral disease that largely affects children under 5 years of age.
Wild Poliovirus Detected: What You Need to Know
Diagnostic testing can detect poliovirus in the throat, feces and occasionally cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens. It isolates the virus in cell culture or detects it by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Affected Districts in Pakistan
Wild poliovirus was found in 8 districts of Pakistan including parts of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in 2025.
Affected Districts:
- Balochistan: Kech, Sibi, Barkhan, Quetta, Gawader
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Bannu, DI Khan, South Waziristan lower
How is the Wild Poliovirus spreading?
Wild poliovirus spreads through person-to-person contact or food and water contamination. After entering the body through the mouth, the virus replicates in the intestines.
How did it spread?
- Fecal-oral route: Food or items that other people come into contact with can become contaminated by an infected person’s feces.
- Droplets: The virus can spread through airborne droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze.
- Food or water contamination: The virus can contaminate food or water in unhygienic settings.
Health Risks and Concerns
The main health risk of wild poliovirus is paralysis, which can be fatal and permanent, particularly if it affects the breathing muscles. Those who are not vaccinated against polio and reside in areas where the virus is circulating are at the highest risk, and complications from the virus can include post-polio syndrome later in life, even after appearing to recover from an initial infection.
Key concerns:
- High risk of paralysis:
Although the majority of polio patients show no symptoms, a tiny number may develop paralytic polio, which can cause limb muscular weakness or paralysis, and in extreme situations, the breathing muscles, which might be fatal.
- Transmission by inadequate hygiene:
Because the virus spreads easily through contact with contaminated feces, outbreaks are more likely to occur in places with inadequate sanitation.
- Those who are not immunized are vulnerable:
Lack of vaccination is the biggest risk factor for polio, thus adults and children who have not received the entire polio vaccine series are at a high risk.
- Post-polio syndrome:
People who have had polio in the past may get post-polio syndrome later in life, which is typified by increasing weariness, pain, and muscle weakness.
Government and WHO Response
The government and WHO’s response to wild poliovirus outbreaks involves coordinated global and national strategies to eradicate the virus and prevent further spread. Key actions include:
1. Vaccination Campaigns
Governments and the World Health Organization (WHO) conduct mass immunization drives, particularly in high-risk areas. They use:
- Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV): preferred for outbreak response due to its ability to stop transmission.
- Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV): used to provide long-term immunity.
2. Surveillance and Detection
- Governments and WHO strengthen Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance to detect polio cases early.
- Environmental surveillance monitors poliovirus in sewage and water sources.
3. Rapid Response Teams
- WHO and governments deploy emergency response teams when an outbreak occurs.
- They conduct contact tracing and vaccination of exposed individuals.
4. Public Awareness and Community Engagement
- Governments and WHO run education campaigns to encourage vaccination.
- Community health workers engage with families to address vaccine hesitancy.
5. Border and Travel Controls
- Some countries require proof of polio vaccination for travelers from polio-endemic regions.
- WHO issues travel advisories to prevent cross-border transmission.
6. Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI)
WHO collaborates with UNICEF, CDC, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and national governments to fund and execute eradication programs.
7. Research and Innovation
- Governments and WHO invest in new polio vaccines and improved surveillance methods.
- Development of novel oral polio vaccines (nOPV) to reduce vaccine-derived outbreaks.
Recent Response Examples
- In Pakistan and Afghanistan, WHO and governments conduct door-to-door immunization to reach unvaccinated children.
- In Africa, after a resurgence in some countries, rapid vaccination camp
These coordinated efforts aim to completely eradicate wild poliovirus and prevent its return worldwide.
Preventive Measures and Vaccination
- Routine Immunization
- Enhanced Surveillance
- Public Awareness & Community Engagement
- Hygiene & Sanitation
- Travel Precautions
- Emergency Response & Rapid Immunization
These measures help prevent wild poliovirus transmission and support global eradication efforts.
Conclusion
Wild poliovirus remains a global health threat, but through vaccination, surveillance, and preventive measures, its eradication is within reach. Governments and WHO-led initiatives play a crucial role in controlling outbreaks, ensuring immunization coverage, and promoting public awareness. Strengthening hygiene, sanitation, and travel precautions further prevents virus transmission. With continuous efforts and global cooperation, a polio-free world is achievable, protecting future generations from this crippling disease.