Poliovirus found in Karachi, Hangu sewage samples
The National Institute of Health has said that Pakistan reported two poliovirus cases this year and 27 positive environmental samples. Traces of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) have been found in sewage samples collected from Hangu and Karachi. According to the Pakistan Polio Laboratory at the National Institute of Health, a sewage sample collected from the Keamari area of Karachi on Sept 5 and two samples collected from Hangu on Sept 6 tested positive for WPV1. The lab, which is also the World Health Organization’s Regional Reference Lab, stated that the virus isolated from all three sewage samples was genetically connected to the YB3A cluster circulating in neighbouring Afghanistan. Federal Minister for Health Dr Nadeem Jan vowed to stamp out poliovirus from the country, saying: “Viruses move with people and can infect vulnerable children anywhere. We are launching a nationwide polio vaccination campaign in October to build children’s immunity.” The minister urged the parents to ensure...