LARKANA: Environ­mental samples collected from sewers in Baqarabad locality, Shahdadkot, have confirmed the presence of poliovirus, according to Dr Shahnawaz Jatoi, district health officer of Qambar-Shahdadkot.

He told Dawn the other day that the samples were taken on June 4 and sent to the National Health Institute, Islamabad, which confirmed the virus’ presence.

The virus found in the Baqarabad locality samples matched with the one found in Usta Mohammad district, Balochistan, on March 18 because of frequent ‘migration’ and movement of people between the well-connected towns of Sindh and Balochistan areas, said Dr Abdul Sattar Shaikh, Director of Health Services Larkana.

“We have started sweeping activity in three union councils of Shahdadkot and teams of doctors have been sent to the area to assess and compile a report,” he said.

Meanwhile, a special anti-polio drive would start in the district from the first week of July, said sources.

Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2024