Wild poliovirus detected from environmental samples in Pakistan
Sep 21, 2023
Islamabad [Pakistan], September 21: Two sewage samples collected from different parts of Pakistan have tested positive for wild poliovirus, the Pakistani health ministry said Wednesday night.
The ministry said in a statement that the virus was isolated from an environmental sample collected from Peshawar district of northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Sept. 5 and from Pishin district of southwest Balochistan province on Sept. 4.
This is the 11th positive sample from Peshawar this year and the first positive environmental sample from Balochistan since April 2021, said the statement.
Both districts were covered in a polio vaccination campaign at the beginning of August, while the next is planned from Oct. 2 onwards, which is going to be a national drive, it added.
Pakistan has reported two polio cases and 24 positive environmental samples this year, according to the ministry.
Source: Xinhua
