Polio virus found in Lahore's sewage

For the second time, samples of water collected from Lahore's sewage have confirmed presence of polio virus. The samples were collected from Outfall Road on July 11. Earlier in June, the virus was also found in the sewage samples gathered from Lahore.
Sources in the health department have confirmed that samples of water collected from Lahore's sewage have been found carrying polio virus. Terming the presence of virus in Lahore's sewage a challenge, the health department has called a meeting to ponder over the issue and adopt a future strategy.
The health department has also decided to propose inclusion of all areas of the city in a polio vaccination drive commencing from August 6. Pakistan has been battling polio for the last several years and is close to completely eradicating the disease. As per data, the number of cases declined from 306 in 2014 to 54 in 2015, 20 in 2016 and eight in 2017. In 2018, three polio cases have so far been reported - all from Balochistan.