The Latest Breaking News from Polio

London health authorities are investigating a likely outbreak of polio, the first in nearly 40 years. One in 200 infections causes irreversible paralysis.

Recent reports of poliovirus detected in samples from a sewage treatment works in London have rightly generated significant concern among public health agencies and medical staff. The poliovirus detected is what is called vaccine-derived poliovirus – this is not “wild poliovirus”.

Parents need to ensure that their children's vaccines are up to date

Government health bosses are investigating to see if the potentially deadly virus is spreading

Experts’ warning comes after data shows less than half 13 to 14-year-olds received booster in parts of England last year

Just as we thought that monkeypox would be the new virus scare for 2022, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) declared a national incident of repeated poliovirus detection in sewage in north and east London. Repeated positive readings for polio suggest that there is an ongoing infection and likely transmission…

Uptake for teenage boosters lower than 50 per cent in parts of England

Polio, the paralysis-causing disease, was officially eradicated in the UK in 2003 and the last domestic outbreak was in the 1970s. However, a lack of vaccinations has meant polio has returned globally

Health officials have found evidence of poliovirus, but there are currently no confirmed cases of the disease.