Polio has been discovered in London, the first sign in almost 40 years that the virus could be spreading in the country.
The United Kingdom typically finds one to three “vaccine-like” polioviruses every year in sewage samples, but the samples have always been isolated incidents that didn’t show up again. Other closely related viruses were found in sewage samples taken between February and May this year, which are now classified as a “vaccine-derived” poliovirus type 2, as they have continued to evolve, according to the U.K. Health Security Agency.
“Vaccine-derived poliovirus has the potential to spread, particularly in communities where vaccine uptake is lower,” said Dr. Vanessa Saliba, a consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA. “On rare occasions it can cause paralysis in people who are not fully vaccinated so if you or your child are not up to date with your polio vaccinations it’s important you contact your GP to catch up or if unsure check your Red Book.”
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The detection of “vaccine-derived” poliovirus type 2 suggests there has been some spread between individuals in north and east London and the individuals are now shedding the type 2 poliovirus. As of Wednesday, the virus has only been detected in sewage samples, and no associated cases of paralysis have been reported, though investigations are determining whether the virus is spreading.
UKHSA is encouraging people to check if they are up to date with their vaccination in the wake of the poliovirus’s discovery. Vaccine coverage for childhood vaccines has decreased in parts of London and in the U.K. over the past few years.
Most people in London are fully protected against polio, but the National Health Service will contact parents of children younger than 5 in London who are not up to date with their polio vaccinations and invite them to get protected, Chief National Health Service Nurse Jane Clegg said.
The last case of wild polio contracted in the U.K., which was declared polio-free in 2003, was confirmed in 1984.
The World Health Organization is working with the U.K. on the response to the virus’s discovery, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on social media.
Surveillance, vaccination and investment to #EndPolio ? is critical, as the #UK‘s announcement of environmental #polio samples identified in London sewage reminds us. No child has been infected so far. @WHO is supporting ?? and partners.https://t.co/97zNVNUiBg
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) June 22, 2022
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Recent coverage for the primary course of DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB vaccination in London, which protects against polio and several other diseases, suggests the city’s immunization coverage is at 86.6%, according to WHO.
