Polio virus detected in 47 environmental samples across Pakistan

Karachi: Polio virus has been confirmed in 47 environmental samples across the country.

According to the Pakistan Polio Eradication Program, 116 environmental samples were collected for polio testing in May. 69 environmental samples did not confirm polio virus, but was found in environmental samples from 34 districts.

The Pakistan Polio Eradication Program also said that polio virus was confirmed in 14 districts of Sindh, 8 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 6 in Balochistan, and 4 in Punjab.

In addition, an environmental sample from one district of Gilgit-Baltistan and from Islamabad was also confirmed to have polio virus.

According to the Pakistan Polio Eradication Program, wild polio virus type 1 has been found in all environmental samples. The presence of the polio virus in 47 environmental samples across the country is worrisome. The presence of the polio virus is a serious threat to the health of children. Parents must administer polio drops to their children repeatedly.