Guardian misreported on alleged return of P2 virus: Health minister

• Babar bin Atta says not even once was he approached by Guardian for this matter.
• "Guardian has confused P2 with Vaccine Derived Polio Virus or Sabin-Like Type 2 Derived," Atta said. 

The State Minister of Health Zafar Mirza has refuted The Guardian’s report that P2 poliovirus has returned to Pakistan and was concealed by former Prime Minister's Focal Person for Polio Eradication Babar bin Atta.

On Thursday, The Guardian reported that officials in Pakistan had hidden the outbreak of several cases of P2 strain of polio, which causes paralysis and primarily effects those under five. However, Mirza dismissed of the coverup of the polio cases as claimed by the international media.

"Sabin-like type 2 derived virus outbreak in Pakistan is vigilantly being monitored and appropriately responded. Such outbreaks are being reported from countries even after Polio eradication e.g. Nigeria, China, Indonesia, Congo," Mirza tweeted.

89/ Absolutely no coverup. Sabin-like type 2 derived virus outbreak in Pakistan is vigilantly being monitored & appropriately responded. Such outbreaks are being reported from countries even after Polio eradication e.g. Nigeria, China, Indonesia, Congo. https://t.co/2P3GVpMKPs

— Zafar Mirza (@zfrmrza) November 8, 2019

Similarly, Atta has also denied the report saying that the international media had confused P2 with Vaccine Derived Polio Virus (cVPDVs) or Sabin-Like Type 2 Derived (SLT2D).  The former focal person further said that the reporter of the article was based in New Delhi and had not even approached him once for information.

"Guardian never approached me for any comment or else I would have educated them on the difference between cVPDVs and P2. They have completely mixed the two making a perfect case of Defamation," he wrote on Twitter. Atta added that The Guardian now needs to prove that P2 poliovirus has returned to Pakistan.

Reporter is based in Delhi.

- Did not contact me even once.

- Misreported cVDPVs as P2 virus.

- Did not mention same VDPV Contamination in India 2018.

- Hid the fact that VDPV does not add to polio case tally.

- Did not mention same VDPV strain found in Polio Free Countries. pic.twitter.com/PTSJmal99h

— Babar Atta (@babarbinatta) November 8, 2019

Atta further said that the SLT2D has caused seven cases of paralysis in recent months, mainly in the northern parts of Pakistan. "The only way to reduce the risks of further transmission is to address gaps in immunization coverage.  The programme is working on a comprehensive outbreak response that includes rounds of vaccination in the area to protect every child under the age of five years," an official statement from the polio program stated.

For those trending Babar Bin Atta, this is official Polio Programme Response.

1. Total number of children: 07

2. VDPV or SLT2D & not Wild P2 Case as reported by Guardian.

As VDPVs are never added to WPV tally, Pakistan's total remains unchanged.https://t.co/c4UwoXSEi1

— Babar Atta (@babarbinatta) November 8, 2019