ISLAMABAD:

Polio virus has been detected in 22 out of 34 environmental samples collected from 44 districts across Pakistan, officials said on Monday.

A total of 56 environmental samples were collected, out of which 34 samples tested negative, while 22 confirmed the presence of the polio virus.

The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) stated that there has been a significant reduction in the virus’s spread following vaccination campaigns conducted in February and April this year.

During this year’s second nationwide polio campaign, over 45.3 million children were administered oral polio vaccine drops.