A spread of the polio virus was first reported in Beckton, London in June 2022 and was closely linked between individuals and extended family.
Samples were collected during a routine inspection from the Beckton Sewage Treatment Works in London finding traces of the polio virus.
The discovery was declared as a 'national incident' by the UK Health Security Agency.
The samples were discovered between February and May and have continued to evolve, now being classified as ‘vaccine-derived’ poliovirus type 2 (VDPV2).
Since the initial discovery in June, the virus has been detected more than 100 times in the sewage water of eight London boroughs.
Polio is an infectious disease caused by a virus that can spread from person to person and cause paralysis.
So what are the first symptoms of polio to watch for?
Early symptoms of polio in children and adults
According to the NHS, early warning signs may include:
- A high temperature
- Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- Headaches
- Being sick (vomiting)
- A stiff neck
- Muscle pain
How polio is spread
The outbreak in London is said to be caused by a person returning to the UK after having the oral polio vaccine.
Polio is spread when the stool (poo) of an infected person comes into contact with the mouth of another person, either through contaminated water or through food.
Another way of spreading polio is through oral-to-oral transmission by an infected person’s saliva.
Polio vaccine
The potentially deadly disease can be prevented with a vaccine.
“Investigation [is] underway to protect public, who are urged to ensure polio vaccines are up to date, especially parents of young children who may have missed an immunisation opportunity,” said the UK Health Security Agency when the national incident was declared.
“Vaccine-derived poliovirus has the potential to spread, particularly in communities where vaccine uptake is lower,” said Dr Vanessa Saliba, consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA.
She added: “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.
“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.”
Parents of children who are not up to date with their polio vaccine course are urged to make an appointment with their GP as soon as possible.
It was announced yesterday (August 10) that all children aged one to nine in London were to be offered a dose of the polio vaccine following further discoveries of the virus in London sewers.
The areas affected include Barnet, Brent, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington and Waltham Forest – and vaccination rates are low.
This will ensure a high level of protection from paralysis and help reduce further spread of the virus.
According to UKHSA, the overall risk of paralytic polio is considered low.
How to check you've had your polio vaccine
This Morning's Dr Ellie assured parents that if your child has had the full UK schedule of vaccines, they will be immune from polio.
"If you are checking your polio vaccinations or your child's they are rarely called 'polio'," she tweeted.
"They will be labelled: DTaP/IPV or dTaP/IPV or 6 in 1 or 5 in 1 Teenage boosters are known as Td/IPV or 3 in 1 If they've had full UK schedule, they are immune."
How to reduce your risk of polio
Practise safe hand hygiene and food and water precautions during travel to reduce your risk of exposure to the polio virus, advise the experts.
As the virus spreads through unsafe food and water, practising good hygiene including washing your foods is vital.
Children in the UK normally receive polio vaccinations as part of the UK vaccination schedule.
For adults and children from 10 years of age, who have not received polio vaccinations in the past, a three-dose course of vaccinations can be provided.
Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a crippling and potentially deadly disease. It is caused by the poliovirus.
The virus spreads from person to person and can invade an infected person’s brain and spinal cord, causing paralysis.
Polio can be prevented with vaccine.
