Poliovirus detected across four cities

Health Ministry spokesman Nadeem Jan on Wednesday claimed that the environmental samples from Karachi, Rawalpindi, Chaman and Peshawar have tested positive for Poliovirus.

The ministry has claimed that the genetic testing of all the samples has linked the positive samples with a poliovirus cluster in Afghanistan. “There are now 43 positive environmental samples reported in Pakistan, which is deeply concerning,” Nadeem said.

Also read: Pakistan will soon be polio-free: minister

He claimed that Pakistan has the most sensitive polio surveillance system in the world, adding that the immediate confirmation of the virus “demonstrates the system's effectiveness.”
The presence of the virus in the environment poses a threat to every child, he added.

“Polio is incurable,” he stated, adding that “only vaccines” provide lifelong protection.
The ministry claimed that the children of the affected areas will be vaccinated through polio eradication campaign in November.