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In Great Britain, declared “polio-free” in 2003, the polio virus may have reappeared. Traces of the virus have been found in London’s sewage. Specifically, the UK Heath Security Agency (Ukhsa), in collaboration with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (Mhra), found the poliovirus in wastewater samples collected by the London Beckton Sewage Treatment Works in the North and East of the English metropolis. between February and March. Investigations are still ongoing.
Last case in the UK in 1984
deepening
Step back in the fight against polio, the WHO alarm
The last case of wild-type polio in the UK dates back to 1984 and the country, as mentioned, was declared “polio-free” in 2003. According to Ukhsa, “it is normal for one to three to be detected every year. “Vaccine-like” poliovirus in UK wastewater samples. But these “cases” are linked to people vaccinated overseas with the oral vaccine (OPV), traces of which then end up via the faeces in the sewers. ”
“The virus has continued to evolve and is now classified as a type 2 poliovirus (Vdpv2) derived from a vaccine which on rare occasions can cause serious illness, such as paralysis, in people who are not fully vaccinated,” the UK warned. Heath Security Agency.
Investigations ongoing
According to experts, it is likely “that there has been some spread of the virus in North and East London among related people and we now detect the type 2 poliovirus strain through their faeces.” No cases of polio with paralysis have been reported in London to date, but “investigations are aimed at establishing whether there is a transmission in the community,” Ukhsa clarified.
According to Vanessa Saliba, an epidemiologist for the agency, “vaccine-derived poliovirus is rare and the risk for people in general is extremely low.” Most of the UK population is protected from polio virus by being vaccinated in childhood, “but in some communities with low vaccination coverage some people may be at risk,” she added.