National incident declared after an outbreak of the highly contagious polio virus has been detected

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have declared a national incident after an outbreak of the highly contagious polio virus has been found.

The UKHSA are strongly advising the public to ensure that their polio vaccines are up to date as in rare cases the virus can be life threatening.

Trace of polio was found in a London sewage works and health officials believe there has been a spread of the virus between closely linked individuals in northeast London.

Officials are very concerned there could now be a community spread of polio after the sewage samples date back to February and May.

Dr Vanessa Saliba, a consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, said, “Vaccine-derived poliovirus is rare and the risk to the public overall is extremely low.

“Vaccine-derived poliovirus has the potential to spread, particularly in communities where vaccine uptake is lower. 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.

“We are urgently investigating to better understand the extent of this transmission and the NHS has been asked to swiftly report any suspected cases to the UKHSA, though no cases have been reported or confirmed so far.”

In 2003 the virus was officially declared to have been eradicated in the UK and Polio can cause people to have flu like symptoms which can usually disappear with 2 to 5 days and usually 1 out 4 people could be affected

More serious symptoms can cause pins and needles in the legs, or even paralysis with weakness in the arms, legs or both which typically will affect around 1 out of 200 people.