In a statement issued Wednesday, the UK’s Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said polio was identified in wastewater samples taken from London between February and May 2022.
The agency said the virus was “likely” to spread among “closely linked” people in north-east London, and an investigation was launched to determine if there was any transmission from the community.
Thanks to extensive vaccination efforts around the world, the disease has been largely eliminated. Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only two remaining countries in the world where polio is still classified as endemic.
What type of polio is found?
The analysis shows that the virus accepted by the UKHSA is not wild-type polio. Instead, it is a version of the virus that comes from a live oral polio vaccine (OPV).
This vaccine generates intestinal immunity, and a few weeks after vaccination, people can pass the vaccine virus in their feces.
These vaccine viruses can then spread to communities with insufficient human-to-human vaccination through poor hand hygiene and contamination of water and food. Coughing and sneezing, although less common, are another route of transmission.
What are the symptoms of polio?
According to the NHS, most people who get polio have no symptoms.
However, some may experience mild flu-like symptoms that last for ten days, such as:
- fever
- extreme fatigue (tiredness)
- headache
- sick (vomiting)
- stiff neck
- muscle pain
In rare cases, polio can cause temporary difficulty in using the muscles, usually in the legs. This can happen for hours or days.
Long-term complications of polio may include paralysis and some need long-term treatment for muscle weakness, joint problems, or difficulty swallowing.
Polio treatment includes:
- bed rest in hospital
- painkillers
- breathing aid
- regular stretching and exercises to prevent muscle and joint problems
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