KARACHI: The National Institute of Health (NIH) Islamabad has verified the presence of Type-1 Wild Poliovirus (WPV1) in environmental samples from Karachi and Pishin, Balochistan.
According to the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the NIH, four more sewage samples, collected from previously affected districts, have tested positive for wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1), bringing the total count of this year's environmental samples to 112.
The NIH statement reveals that three samples obtained from various districts of Karachi and one sample from Pishin have yielded positive results.
Further analysis indicates that the samples were genetically linked to the imported YB3A cluster of WPV1. Notably, the virus has been detected in sewage samples from 33 districts thus far this year.
The spokesperson says, "All positive samples and the two human cases reported this year contain the YB3A cluster, which had disappeared from the country in 2021 but persisted in Afghanistan. It was subsequently reintroduced through cross-border transmission last year."