Polio the crippling disease has
already killed and paralyzed hundreds of thousands around the globe,But very
limited number of people know that one of the main cause of circulating Polio
Virus is Water pollution(positive Sewage water samples).
According to available figure of End Polio,data thirty years ago during year
1988(A.D) Polio disease was endemic in 125 countries across the globe by killing
or paralyzing more than 350000 people annually. After that due to formation and
efforts of Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) by starting
Vaccination/campaign of both Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV two drops)and Inactivated
Polio Vaccine(IPV) included in some countries in Routine Immunization with
addition to this by minimizing the water pollution and improving sanitation
system in many countries after taking Environmental samples of sewage water
which is the best breading place for growth and spreading of Polio Virus
remarkable decrease occurred in Polio disease in last three decades.
Due to above mentioned efforts especially by minimizing the water pollution and
improving sanitation system in many countries after taking Environmental samples
of sewage water which is the best breading place for growth and spreading of
Polio Virus.NOW according to latest figures in year 2018 Polio disease is
eradicated from entire world except two neighbors countries Pakistan and
Afghanistan as compared to 125-countries in year 1988 thirty years ago.
Worth mentioning in Year 2014-16 Polio was endemic in three countries Pakistan
Afghanistan and Nigeria, But Nigeria eradicated Polio Pakistan and Afghanistan
are the two countries having Polio which is matter of a shame that in this era
of 21st century when all countries across the globe even Nigeria and African
Countries eliminated polio while Pakistan and Afghanistan are still endemic....
Regarding Sewage water samples In areas where polio cases occur, samples are
taken from the soil and sewage for testing to see if there is evidence of the
wild polio virus. For example, during this year in 2018 there have been 15
positive environmental test results in Afghanistan and similarly positive sewage
samples results are coming from some major cities Karachi,Peshawar Kohat etc etc
of Pakistan which is alarming fact. The continuing positive environmental
samples are troubling and a big obstacle.
For complete eradication of Polio from Pakistan & Afghanistan and both to become
Polio free countries with addition to three core strategies a)Quaility Campaigns
NID & SNID of Oral Polio Vaccine.
b)Strengthening Routine Immunization in which with addition to OPV Inactivated
Polio Vaccine(IPV) is also injected.
c). Strengthening Surveillance System/ Acute Flaccid Paralysis(AFP) as well as
Environmental Surveillance Sewage Water, the key factor is also having a clean
Environment especially by ending or minimizing Sewage Water pollution.By
strengthen Environmental Surveillance Sewage water samples to completely
eradicate Polio from two neighbors Pakistan & Afghanistan which will result the
entire World Free of Polio.
For this purpose Governments of both countries with addition to other segments
of society and different stakeholders especially community awareness and
advocacy regarding ending Sewage water Pollution especially water pollution is
needed which is root of all major diseases especially spread of Polio virus and
disease a big global threat.
Thanking You.