Polio virus confirmed in 20 districts across country

ISLAMABAD: Polio virus is present in the environmental samples collected from 20 districts across the country, as confirmed by the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) Regional Anti-Polio Laboratory.

The capital city Islamabad is among the districts where sewage samples have confirmed the virus. Additionally, polio virus was found in the samples collected from Rawalpindi, Attock, Lahore and Mianwali.

Polio virus was also reported in the sewage of Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Qambar and Pashin, as well as in Lakki Marwat and Mirpurkhas.

Polio virus is also present in the sewage of Karachi Central, South, East and Korangi, said NIH, adding that the presence of virus was also confirmed in Quetta, Noshki and Zhob.

Likewise, the environmental samples of Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan also reported positive polio virus.

Meanwhile, the countrywide anti-polio campaign continues with the target of immunizing 4.5 million children across Pakistan. Officials have appealed to the parents to ensure that their children have received the polio vaccine.

Also read: PM Shehbaz condemns Mastung blast that killed 5, injured 15