The British government has been alarmed by the discovery of the Polio virus in waste samples in London. An immediate investigation was carried out even though it was believed that the general risk was still very low.
UK health safety agency UKHSA said several related viruses were found in waste samples from Beckton Sewage Treatment Works between February and May.
“There are 1-3 ‘vaccine-like’ polioviruses that are normally detected annually in UK waste samples, but always only once and are not detected again,” the UKHSA said in a statement.
“Some of these detections occur when someone who was vaccinated abroad with the oral polio vaccine comes back to life or visits the UK and leaves traces of the vaccine-like poliovirus in their faeces,” he explained.
Recent findings raise awareness that the virus continues to evolve and is now classified as ‘vaccine-derived’ poliovirus type 2 (VDPV 2). In rare cases it can trigger serious illness, such as paralysis in people who have not been fully vaccinated.
So far no cases of polio have been found and the risk to the public is considered very low. However, epidemiologist consultant Vanessa Saliba reminded the public to ensure that the polio vaccination they received was ‘up to date’.
“Most Britons will be protected by vaccination in childhood, but in some groups with low vaccine coverage, a person may still be at risk,” said Saliba.
Globally, vaccination campaigns have been intensified to eradicate the wild poliovirus. The UKHSA says the last confirmed case of wild polio was in 1984 and the UK has been polio-free since 2003.
Watch Videos “When is the Right Time to Get the Polio Vaccine?“
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