Poliovirus was detected in the sewers of London.No cases reported

However, its health and safety agencies and medical regulators statement On Wednesday, authorities found traces of poliovirus in sewage samples collected from the Becton Sewage Treatment Facility in London as part of “regular surveillance.” Sewage treatment facilities cover a population of nearly 4 million in the northern and eastern parts of the capital.

“Investigation is underway after several closely related viruses were found in sewage samples taken between February and May,” the statement said.

The detection said, “There is some spread between closely related individuals in northern and eastern London, and they are now excreting type 2 poliovirus strains from their faeces.”

Polioviruses derived from type 2 vaccines are live attenuated viruses used in oral polio vaccines, as opposed to wild and natural strains.Many countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States Goed away From the use of oral vaccines as it may spread to unvaccinated people. However, it is still common in countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria.

Vaccine-derived poliovirus detected in the United Kingdom “rarely can cause serious illnesses such as paralysis in people who are not completely vaccinated,” said UK health officials.

So far, poliovirus has only been detected in sewage samples, but investigations are underway to see if there is an infection in the community.

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According to the government, the United Kingdom was declared eradicated by the World Health Organization in 2003, and wild or naturally occurring polio last developed in 1984.

“Vaccine-derived poliovirus is rare and the risk to the general public is very low,” Vanessa Saliva, a consultant epidemiologist at the UK Health and Safety Department, said in a statement.

“We are urgently investigating to better understand the scope of this transmission, and the NHS is required to promptly report suspicious cases,” she said. “So far, cases have been reported. Or it has not been confirmed. “

Polio, or polio, is a potentially devastating and potentially fatal infection that invades the nervous system and spreads primarily through fecal contamination.

There is no cure, but since the 1960s, predominantly childhood vaccination has been a game changer that allows many countries to eradicate wild polio.UK maintains vaccination rate of over 95%, government SaidMainly through regular pediatric immune programs.

According to the UK Health and Safety Agency, “1 to 3 poliovirus isolates per year” are usually detected in sewage, but these are usually one-time and not interrelated. “In this case, the isolates identified between February and June 2022 are genetically related, which made it necessary to investigate the extent of the infection,” he added.

The most likely scenario is that a recently vaccinated individual has entered the United Kingdom from a country where the oral polio vaccine was used. The UK discontinued such oral vaccines in 2004, officials said.

WHO Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus tweeted: #EndPolio Following the news of the UK announcement.

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The World Polio Eradication Initiative has been working to end all wild and vaccine-related cases of the virus, most of which have been eradicated, but said the disease is endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

“In all countries, especially those with high travel volumes and contact with polio-affected countries and regions, increased surveillance to expedite the detection of new virus imports and facilitate a swift response. It’s important to do, “says the group. a statement..

Meanwhile, London health officials are urging parents to make sure their infants are completely vaccinated to prevent outbreaks. According to the government, the National Health Service will begin contacting parents of unvaccinated children under the age of five in the capital.