14 environmental samples carry polio virus

KARACHI: The presence of the polio virus has been officially confirmed in 14 environmental samples collected from various districts across the country.

A federal health ministry spokesperson says that among these samples, the polio virus was identified in three from Peshawar, two from Hyderabad, and two from Karachi East.

The spokesperson says the virus was detected in individual samples from Karachi Central, Keamari, and West. Additionally, one sample each from Sukkur, Quetta, Kohat, and Islamabad tested positive for the polio virus.

He clarified that all instances of the polio virus found in these samples are believed to have originated from across the border.

The ministry appealed to the public to protect children against polio, which can only be ensured through timely vaccination.

Parents are strongly urged to administer polio drops to children under the age of 5, contributing to the collective efforts to eradicate the virus and safeguard the health of the nation's youth, adds the ministry.