Polio detected in samples collected from 20 districts in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Environmental samples collected from 20 districts have been found positive for poliovirus.

According to an official of the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health, 60 environmental (sewage) samples were collected from 51 districts and tested.

“Out of the total samples, 35 samples from 31 districts tested negative with no poliovirus found, while 25 tested positive. The trend shows a decline in positive samples and a reduction in virus circulation in many areas,” he said.