News originally posted on the World Polio Eradication Initiative website.
The Global Network of Polio Laboratories (GPLN) has confirmed the isolation of poliovirus derived from the type 2 vaccine (VDPV2) from environmental samples in London, United Kingdom (UK), which were detected as part of the surveillance of the ongoing disease. It is important to note that the virus has only been isolated from environmental samples: no associated cases of paralysis have been detected. Recent coverage of the primary DTaP / IPV / Hib / HepB vaccination course, which protects against various diseases, including polio, in London suggests an immunization coverage of 86.6%.
Initially, the vaccine-like poliovirus type 2 (SL2) had been isolated from samples taken from the same site between February and May 2022. Genetic analysis suggests that the previous new VDPV2 and SL2 isolates have a common origin. , still to be identified, but the technical definition and “circulation” criteria of VDPV2 are not met at this time. Additional samples of wastewater collected upstream of the main sewage treatment plant inlet are being analyzed.
Investigations and response by the UK Health Safety Agency are ongoing:
- assess both the origin and the traffic risk associated with these isolates;
- strengthen poliovirus surveillance, including enterovirus and the environment;
- explore the recovery of routine immunization of low-vaccinated children, including families who have recently arrived in the United Kingdom from countries with recent use of the oral polio vaccine type 2; i,
- improve communications about this incident to health professionals and caregivers.
It is important that all countries, especially those with a high volume of travel and contacts with countries and areas affected by polio, step up surveillance to quickly detect any new virus imports and facilitate a rapid response. Countries, territories, and areas should also maintain uniformly high routine immunization coverage at the district level and at the lowest administrative level to protect children from polio and minimize the consequences of any newly introduced virus.
Any form of poliovirus anywhere is a threat to children everywhere. It is essential that the GPEI Eradication Strategy of the GPEI 2022-2026 has all the resources and is fully implemented everywhere, to ensure that a world free of all forms of poliovirus can be achieved.