B A H A W A L P U R : Poliovirus has been detected in sewage of Bahawalpur, ringing the alarm bells in the district.

The virus has been detected from the sewage of the Lal Bagh area from where the sewage flows towards the main outlet of city`s sewerage.

Dawn learnt the presence of poliovirus was contrary to the tall claims of the health officials who had been frequently announcing the district as polio-free since 2011.

District Coordinator (polio) Dr Zakir Hussain confirmed to Dawn detection of the poliovirus from the Lal Bagh sewerage manholes, making the health department swing into action by launching a five-day polio campaign.

Dr Zakir said the sewage samples from were collected in August and sent to NIH, Islamabad. The results were received in October.He added the results showed the virus gene found in Bahawalpur seemed to be identical to that of Hyderabad.

He said the department had launched a massive drive to detect arrival of any polio affected persons from Hyderabad in Bahawalpur as the month of August had Eidul Fitr and there was possibility that some people visiting the city might have also stayed in some local restaurant or any other locality.

`For this purpose, the records of restaurants, hotels, bus terminals are being scrutinised to find out the possible passengers coming to Bahawalpur from Hyderabad in August.

Dr Zakir Hussain expressed hope the person/ persons visiting Bahawalpur from Hyderabad during August would be traced with the help of health department`s surveillance teams and steps would be taken to protect the district from the spread of poliovirus.