For the first time since 1984 – the date of the last recorded case in the UK – traces of the poliomyelitis virus derived from a vaccine strain were found in sewage from a North London sewage treatment plant. This highly contagious disease invades the nervous system and can cause permanent paralysis. 5 to 10% of affected patients die from asphyxiationbecause of “paralysis of the muscles providing ventilation”indicates the Pasteur Institute.
Between February and May 2022, several wastewater samples showed traces of poliovirus, no casualties so far. “Importantly, the virus was isolated from environmental samples only – no associated cases of paralysis were detected.”provides a communicated of the WHO published on June 22.
Traces of polio are detected one to three times a year in UK sewage, but this is the first time these isolates have been detected”are genetically linked to each other.continues the world organization.
Blame it on the oral polio vaccine?
If this virus can be detected in stool after an oral polio vaccine (OPV) – it hasn’t been used in the UK since 2004 but other countries continue to use it – the more likely theory would be that a recently vaccinated with OPV entered the UK before February.
“These results suggest that there may be localized spread of poliovirus, most likely among people who are not up to date with their polio vaccinations.“, says Kathleen O’Reilly, epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and polio specialist.
“A threat to children around the world“
The WHO estimates that it is now “important that all countries, especially those with a high volume of travel and contact with polio-affected countries and areas, strengthen surveillance to rapidly detect any new virus importation and facilitate rapid response“.
“Any form of poliovirus, wherever found, is a threat to children around the world“, adds the international organization, while advising each country to keep routine vaccination coverage uniformly high. In the United Kingdom, it is currently 86.6%.
In France, the poliomyelitis disappeared, in particular thanks to vaccination, which is compulsory for all infants with boosters at 6 and 11 years old. Further boosters are also recommended at ages 25, 45 and 65.
Sources:
- Vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (VDPV2) detected in environmental samples in London, UK, World Health Organization, June 22, 2022
- Pastor Institute
Read also:
- WHO announces that polio has been eradicated from the African continent
- Polio is soon a thing of the past
- Polio: a look back at a still deadly disease
