The polio virus has been discovered in the United Kingdom

The British Health Safety Authority announced, on Wednesday, the discovery of the vaccine-derived polio virus in London sewage, Telegraph reports.

The discoveries must have occurred in February and April of this year, and they indicate that the virus was spread between different individuals.

According to health officials, this is the first time in 40 years that polio has spread in the UK. Thus, a national incident was declared and people urged to ensure they were vaccinated against the virus.

At this point, health experts believe that the detected virus was likely imported from an individual who had recently received an oral polio vaccine containing live virus. After that, the feces must have been escorted into the London sewer system.

To date, no confirmed cases of polio have been reported.

It can be life threatening

The virus multiplies in the intestines, and infected people pass large amounts of poliovirus in their stools for several weeks. It is spread through poor hand hygiene and in some cases by coughing and sneezing.

If you become infected, it is possible in rare cases to develop infections in the spinal cord and brain, which can lead to paralysis. If the respiratory muscles are affected, it can be life-threatening.

In the UK children are routinely vaccinated, but there is now concern because vaccination rates among young people are lower in London than in the rest of the country.

According to Dr Vanessa Saliba, consultant epidemiologist at the British Health and Safety Department, vaccine-derived polioviruses have the potential to spread, especially in communities where fewer people are vaccinated.

“We are investigating this immediately to better understand the extent of transmission and the NHS (National Health Service) has been asked to report any suspected cases to us immediately.”

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