RAWALPINDI:
Rawalpindi district managed to remain polio-free in 2024. Preparations are already underway to launch comprehensive campaigns against polio, measles and pneumonia in the new year, starting today.
Of five environmental samples taken to test for polio virus in Rawalpindi city, four were negative and one was positive. These results led to the decision to send five more environmental samples for laboratory testing.
Dr Asif Arbab Niazi, chief executive officer of the District Health Authority (DHA), said that an environmental sample for polio has tested positive in the Dhok Dalal area and as a result, the focus will be on administering polio drops. polio to children in this area during the upcoming anti-polio campaign. Anti-polio campaign planned for the last week of January or the first week of February.
In addition to the anti-polio campaign, health authorities also plan to vaccinate children between one and five years old against measles and pneumonia in 2025. Measles and pneumonia counters will be installed in public hospitals and a booster dose will be administered of the vaccine. to children who did not receive vaccination between nine months and fifteen months.
The CEO also reported two cases of measles in four union councils (UCs) of Rawalpindi.
