Authorities say Malawi has declared type 1 poliovirus an outbreak and the finding has duly been reported to the World Health Organization.

According to the principal secretary for health Dr. Charles Mwansambo, the last case was last discovered in 1992 in Malawi.

"The diagnosed case is of a three-year-old girl who is Malawian but the type of virus is imported and is similar to the one in Pakistan," Mwansambo disclosed.

Mwansambo has further advised the public to stay cautious and practice hygiene.

Meanwhile, health rights activist George Jobe, says timely reporting of the disease will help the country in finding solutions .

Polio is known to be endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan at the moment