UK to take “immediate action” after detection in various samples of London sewers the virus that causes poliomyelitisconsidered eradicated in the UK since 2003.

The UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA, in English) detailed that samples from several polio virus Genetically linked samples were collected between February and June at the Beckton sewage plant, which serves about four million people in the north and east of the city.

UKHSA emphasizes that the majority of the population has received during childhood disease protectionwhich can cause spinal cord injury and paralysis of some muscles.

However, it is estimated that around 14% of Londoners do not have first three doses of vaccine required.

In the past isolated cases of the virus have been detected in wastewaterfrom people who have received oral polio vaccine in another country that can leave traces of an attenuated version of the pathogen.

However, the detected virus has now evolved and behave in a similar way to conventional organisms, capable of being transmitted to unvaccinated people through the air or through contact with feces.

The health agency believes that the virus could reach the UK earlier this year through someone vaccinated abroad, perhaps in Afghanistan, Pakistan, or Nigeria. That person may have infected others around him.

UKHSA emphasizes that No cases of disease detected so farbut urges all doctors and healthcare professionals to “investigate and thoroughly report any suspected case of acute flaccid paralysis” that cannot be explained by non-infectious causes.

It also asks centers to verify that their patients have received the polio vaccine, as well as to place “special emphasis” on immunizing “new migrants, asylum seekers and refugees.”