MANSEHRA, April 23: The threat of polio cannot be eliminated from the province because of the influx of Afghan refugees.

This was stated by the EDO (Health) for Mansehra while addressing the launch of a three-day anti-polio campaign here on Monday. Dr Sadiqur Rehman said: “Afghan refugees living in three main Afghan camps in the town frequently go to their country and bring polio virus back with them.’’

He said that during the past year, 40 cases of polio had been detected in the country. He said: “We (at the health department) are optimistic that the country is close to being declared a polio free nation.”

Mansehra District Nazim Sardar Yousaf inaugurated the polio vaccination campaign.