Environmental samples test positive

RAWALPINDI: Three environmental samples drawn from the sewers of Rawalpindi have tested positive for the polio virus in a survey conducted by a third party.

In light of the positive samples, the government has decided to launch a five-day anti-polio campaign in the district from the second week of November.



The emergence of the positive environmental samples was disclosed by Rawalpindi Additional Deputy Commissioner Saima Younas on Tuesday during a meeting to review preparations for the upcoming immunization drive in the city. Younas said that there was a need to revisit their anti-polio strategy on a scientific basis and to work harder than ever before in the upcoming campaign to ensure the virus is eliminated.

The ADC directed officials to pay special attention to those areas which have been marked by the World Health Organization (WHO) as low-performing. APP

Published in The Express Tribune, October 31^st, 2018.