Poliovirus found in environmental samples of three cities
Pakistan
Poliovirus found in environmental samples of three cities
ISLAMABAD (APP) - The environmental samples collected from Peshawar and Hub have tested positive for wild poliovirus.
According to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, Pakistan Polio Laboratory at the National Institute of Health (NIH), which also serves as the WHO Regional Reference Lab for poliovirus, confirmed that genetic testing had linked the virus in all samples to the cluster circulating in Afghanistan.
He said that the genetic testing of the virus found in the sample from Lahore was still ongoing.
The spokesperson said that the continuous confirmation of the virus in environmental samples was a matter of concern.
Commenting on the situation, Minister for Health Dr Nadeem Jan said that the ministry was planning more campaigns to keep children safe from the virus.
He added that Pakistan had organised several polio campaigns this year.
Dr Nadeem Jan said that it was the national duty of everyone to actively participate in the anti-polio campaign.
He said that the government was ensuring integrated measures to eradicate polio.
