Four environmental samples from Karachi, Peshawar, Rawalpindi and Chaman have tested positive for wild poliovirus 1 (WPV1), health department official on Thursday. According to the Pakistan Polio Laboratory at the National Institute of Health, the samples collected from all cities showed that it belonged to Afghanistan. Environmental samples collected from four more cities have been found positive for polio virus, a week after samples collected from Hub, Lahore and Peshawar had been found positive.

Meanwhile, Minister of Health Dr Nadeem Jan has expressed concern over the detection of the virus in environmental samples and directed officials concerned to take all possible steps to protect children from the virus of the crippling disease. “So far 43 samples have been found positive in the country which is concerning. Pakistan has the most effective surveillance system and it has been working effectively,” Dr Jan said.

 
Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)