Islamabad: The Ministry of Health has confirmed that polio virus has been found in the environmental samples of four districts of Pakistan.
According to Caretaker Health Minister Dr. Nadeem Jan, samples of polio virus genetically present in Afghanistan have been found in Karachi, Rawalpindi, Chaman and Peshawar.
He said that 43 positive environmental samples have been reported in Pakistan so far which is very worrying. Pakistan has the most sensitive polio surveillance system in the world.
The Minister of Health said that the rapid confirmation of the virus in environmental samples shows that the system is working effectively, the presence of the virus in the environment is a threat to every child.
He said that there is a cure for polio and only the vaccine, which provides life-long protection to children. The health department has organized several polio campaigns this year, in November, children in areas where the virus is present will be vaccinated first.
The spokesman of the health department and the caretaker health minister appealed that parents must give polio drops to their children in every campaign and secure the future of their children.
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