The National Institute of Health has revealed that the poliovirus was detected in 11 environmental samples across the country in October 2023.

A report issued by the National Emergency Operation Centre for Polio Eradication on Satruday said that the new samples took the total for the ongoing year to 54.

It also added that four positive cases of poliovirus have been detected in Pakistan this year.

The samples were found in seven different cities including Pishin, Quetta, Chaman, Bannu, Peshawar, Lahore and Karachi.

The sample in Lahore came from Gulshan-e-Ravi taking the city’s total for the year to six.

In Karachi, two samples were detected from Haji Mureed Goth and Orangi nala.

Meanwhile, in Peshawar, samples were found in Naray Khuwar, Hayatabad, Yousafabad and Tajabad, Gulabad and Chungee areas.

Samples were also found in Turwa in Pishin, Army Kaziba in Chaman, Surpul in Quetta and Hinjil Noorabad in Quetta.

Pakistan is the only country in the world apart from Afghanistan where poliovirus has still not been eradicated.