Polio Pulse

Polio Pulse provides social listening insights to support GPEI’s polio interventions on disinformation, crisis communication, and strategic communication. Data is monitored from polio-endemic and outbreak countries and geographies classified by GPEI, covering 12 major languages spoken in these regions. The platform is managed by the UNICEF Digital Community Engagement (DCE) team.

Low Risk

Conspiracy theories circulate as poliovirus is detected in Pakistan wastewater samples

Geography
Pakistan
Themes
Conspiracy theories

Analysis

Health officials in Pakistan report that 47 wastewater samples tested positive for poliovirus, including samples from all four provinces, Islamabad, and the Kashmir region. Some commenters called polio a “fraud,” while others claimed the news is part of a larger agenda or conspiracy to promote polio vaccines.

Recommendations

The low level of engagement on the posts decreases their risk. Health messengers may continue emphasizing that vaccination is the only way to prevent polio and is responsible for eliminating polio in most countries worldwide.