Polio virus traces have been found in the sewage in London, UK. It is polio virus type 2 which on rare occasions can cause serious illness.Â
 Highlights
- Polio virus traces were found in sewage samples from London.
- It is dated from February and May.
- The virus further evolved and became vaccine derived virus type 2 (VDPV2).
- These variants can cause serious illness like paralysis if not fully vaccinated.
Polio virus traces were found in the sewage of London. The virus got evolve and became polio virus type 2 (VDPV2). The viruses that evolve can cause serious illness like paralysis if not fully vaccinated. The UK government urges the parents to make sure to fully vaccinate their children. The UK Health Security Agency is investigating further.
This discovery is causing quite a havoc. The last confirmed case in UK is in 1984. The UK announced Polio free in 2003. The UN is cautious as there are children everywhere.Â
 This Polio virus can potentially spread
Consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, Dr. Vanessa Saliba says, vaccine- derived virus is very rare and the overall danger to the public is low. She also adds that vaccine- derived polio viruses can spread if the vaccine uptake is low so it is important to fully vaccinate for polio virus. The detection means there is some spreading in few individuals in north and east London.
 It also means people are having virus type 2 strains in their feces.
There has been no reports of paralysis but the investigation does aim to know if there is any community transference. The agency states that they check every year but it always comes back negative until this year.Â
To conclude, there is an investigation going on. If the Agency finds that there is any community transference of virus type 2 then this will cause a great threat. They are urging everyone to fully vaccinate. The pandemic has given the virus a chance to re-surge in many countries.Â
