Kathmandu: After a decade-long absence, the polio virus has been found in drain water in Kathmandu, raising concerns about the reemergence of the disease in the region. The detection was made public during an interaction organized by the Health Service Department on 'Polio Disease and Surveillance' held on Friday.

Dr. Abhiyan Gautam, Chief of the Child Health and Nutrition Division, confirmed that the virus was discovered in a sample collected from the confluence of the Tukucha and Bagmati rivers. This marks the first instance of the polio virus being detected in drain water in Nepal since the country was declared polio-free in 2014, with the last human case reported in 2010.

"The presence of the polio virus, regardless of the location, is a sensitive issue. The detection has led to concerns about possible human infections," Dr. Gautam stated. He mentioned that additional tests are planned to assess the situation further.

The sample, collected on May 26, was sent to a laboratory in Bangkok for testing, and the positive result was received on July 13. The detected strain is identified as 'vaccine-derived polio type-3' rather than 'wild polio,' suggesting it likely originated within the Kathmandu Valley.

In response to this finding, the Ministry of Health and Population has announced an anti-polio campaign across the three districts of the valley. Dr. Bibek Kumar Lal, Director at the Family Welfare Division, revealed that an 'IPV' vaccination campaign would be conducted from July 24 to 27, targeting 280,000 children to prevent the spread of the virus.

This unexpected detection highlights the need for continued vigilance and proactive measures to maintain the country's polio-free status.