Polio Virus Detected in Rawalpindi Linked to Afghan Family
UrduPoint (18 September 2026) reported that a polio strain detected in Rawalpindi's environmental sample in July was genetically linked to a family that recently migrated from Afghanistan. The cross-border transmission of the polio virus remains a challenge, and health authorities are actively working to prevent its local establishment.
Uzma Kardar, CM Punjab Focal Person on Polio Eradication, revealed this during a press conference in Rawalpindi on Friday. She stated that despite imported viral cases, significant efforts are underway to combat this external threat.
A special four-day campaign will involve over 8,000 frontline workers covering all union councils in Rawalpindi. A broader campaign spanning 13 high-risk districts in Punjab aims to vaccinate more than 10 million children.
Kardar emphasized that polio eradication is a top priority for the provincial government and urged parents to fully cooperate with vaccination teams. She highlighted the importance of eliminating the virus to avoid mandatory pre-departure polio vaccination requirements for Hajj, Umrah, or international travel.
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