The first outbreak of polio in decades in the UK has occurred in London. It has been reported between closely linked individuals and extended family.
A 'national incident' was declared by the UK Health Security Agency after samples collected during a routine inspection from the Beckton Sewage Treatment Works in London found traces of the polio virus, reports the Mirror. They were discovered between February and May and have continued to evolve, now being classified as ‘vaccine-derived’ poliovirus type 2 (VDPV2).
The threat of transmission throughout the community is now being analysed. Polio is an infectious disease caused by a virus that can spread from person to person and cause paralysis.
