Poliovirus has been detected in the environmental samples of Lahore which is genetically related to a virus found in Kandahar, Afghanistan, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Wednesday.

Caretaker Federal Minister for Health Nadeem Jan said that a joint strategy was being devised between Pakistan and Afghanistan to fight against polio.

“Though the number of polio cases in the country has decreased since last year, the frequent detection of poliovirus in environmental samples is alarming, and we are ensuring all necessary measures in this regard on an emergency basis,” he claimed.

He also said that strict monitoring of polio cases was being carried out, adding that a top expert of an anti-polio programme had been posted in Bannu with an assignment to prevent the spread of the virus.

“This is the third positive environmental sample from Lahore this year, and now the number of positive environmental samples in Pakistan has increased to 17,” he said.

He appealed to parents to get their children vaccinated against polio during the anti-polio campaign.