Recent sewage tests in parts of the UK, including Leeds, London, and West Sussex, have revealed traces of vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (VDPV2). While this discovery is concerning, health officials have emphasized that the risk to the public remains low.
Key Details:
- Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus (VDPV2): This strain is linked to the weakened live virus used in the oral polio vaccine (OPV). Under certain conditions, particularly in under-immunised populations or those with compromised immune systems, the virus can revert to a form capable of causing illness and paralysis.
- Transmission: Polio primarily spreads through contact with contaminated faeces, such as from not properly washing hands or consuming contaminated food or water. It can also spread through coughing or sneezing, although this is less common.
- Symptoms and Risks: Most people infected with polio do not experience symptoms, but in rare cases, it can cause severe neurological symptoms, including muscle weakness and paralysis, typically in the legs. If the paralysis affects breathing muscles, it can be life-threatening. However, the majority of those affected will recover over time, with some experiencing permanent disability.
- Polio-Free Europe: The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Europe polio-free in 2002, largely due to widespread vaccination efforts. Despite this, cases of VDPV2 continue to emerge, including a recent instance in Finland’s wastewater samples in December 2024.
UK Response:
The UK’s Health Authorities, including Travel Health Pro, have assured the public that, as of December 2024, there is no evidence of community transmission of the virus, and the overall risk to the public remains low. The UK continues to offer the polio vaccine as part of its routine childhood vaccination program.
This is not the first time that polio-related virus strains have been found in UK wastewater. Similar findings were reported in 2022, but again, health officials stated that the risk of transmission was minimal.
Conclusion:
Although polio traces have been found in the UK, health experts maintain that the overall risk to public health remains low, and no evidence of community transmission has been found. The ongoing availability of the polio vaccine remains a key tool in preventing the spread of the disease.
