By National incident declared after polio traces found in London
The virus which causes polio has been detected, following a number of sewage samples in London, health officials have said.
The disease was common in the UK in the 1950s but was eliminated by 2003.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says it was most likely imported to London by someone who was recently vaccinated overseas with a variation of the virus.
They have said the risk is low, but parents should still ensure their children have been fully immunised against the disease.
“Most of the UK population will be protected from vaccination in childhood, but in some communities with low vaccine coverage, individuals may remain at risk,” said Dr Vanessa Saliba, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA.
An inactivated polio vaccine is used in the UK as part of the routine childhood programme.
Health authorities have now declared a national incident and informed the World Health Organization (WHO).
The UKHSA has found the polio virus in samples collected from the Beckton sewage works, over the past four months. The sewage plant covers a population of four million in north and east London.
The BBC reported this is the first time that a ‘cluster’ of genetically-linked samples has been found repeatedly over a period of months.
Health officials say the data suggests there has been some spread between closely-linked individuals in London.No actual cases of polio have been detected and there have been no reports in the UK.
Jane Clegg, chief nurse for the NHS in London, said “Parents can also check their child’s vaccination status in their red book, and people should contact their GP practice to book a vaccination should they or their child not be fully up to date,”
Polio is a rare disease and is spread after a person does not wash their hands properly after using the toilet and then touches food or water consumed by others, in some cases by coughing and sneezing.
Most people don’t have any symptoms and will beat the virus without even realising they were infected. A small number will experience flu-like symptoms for up to three weeks
