Health authorities in Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), have urged parents to ensure their children under the age of five complete their routine immunisation schedules, including polio vaccinations, amid the detection of poliovirus in the area.
District Health Officer (DHO) Dr. Fida Hussain confirmed that the virus was recently found in Mirpur during routine environmental inspections of the sewerage system. He added that genetic analysis revealed the virus is linked to strains found in Lahore.
“There’s no need for panic,” Dr. Hussain told APP, noting that poliovirus has been detected at around 200 sites across the country as part of routine environmental surveillance. “It’s part of ongoing efforts to monitor and control the virus,” he said.
He emphasized that parents must remain vigilant and ensure their children receive all polio drops during every national and regional campaign, including those in AJK, under the World Health Organization’s immunisation schedule.
In response to the detection, the AJK State Health Department is closely monitoring the situation in Mirpur and has pledged immediate action to prevent any outbreak.
