United Kingdom: Polio has returned to London and this Friday they start vaccinating the boys

The poliomyelitis virus returned to london and was detected in the tubes of nine neighborhoods from the city. From this Friday, all children from 1 to 9 years in the British capital he will be vaccinated against polio.

At least 900,000 children will receive the dose. 116 traces of vaccine-derived type 2 virus were detected in 19 wastewater samples in Barnet, Brent, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington and Waltham Forest.

The virus has also been found in lower concentrations in areas adjacent to the Beckton Basin to the south (immediately below the Thames) and east of Beckton.

However, it is unclear whether the virus has established itself in these areas or whether the detections are due to people from the affected area visiting these areas.

There are no confirmed cases

There have been no confirmed cases of polio. This was stated by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI). the risk to the public “is low”.

The NHS will contact the parents when it is their child’s turn to receive a polio booster or a recovery dose.

It will start in the areas where the virus has been detected and where vaccination rates are low, followed by rapid implementation in the rest of London’s boroughs.

90% of the London population has the correct number of vaccinations, compared to 95% nationwide.

in the sewers

The source of the poliomyelitis virus could be reduced to “single houses or streets”the health ministry said.

The UK Health Safety Agency reported a national incident in June after traces of the virus were found during routine surveillance at the Beckton Sewage Treatment Works.

is normal that one to three “vaccine-like” polioviruses are detected in UK wastewater samples each year. But they have always been unique finds.

The recent discovery, however, detected the virus in a series of checks of sewage.

There have been no confirmed cases of polio paralysis in the UK since 1984.

how it spreads

Polio is a contagious virus that can be transmitted through coughing and sneezing. but also a through food, water or objects who have been in contact with the feces of someone infected.

Has flu-like symptoms, including: high fever, extreme fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiff neck, and muscle pain. As usual, lasts ten days. But they can cause more severe symptoms and can be life-threatening.

it mainly affects to children under the age of fivealthough it can also affect unvaccinated adults.

The virus has been eradicated in most of the world thanks to a successful global vaccination program. But they are still found in Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistanwhere the more conservative tribal population resists vaccinations.

Vaccines are given to infants at eight, 12, and 16 weeks, with booster doses given at age three and again at age 14. The new vaccine will be added to the childhood immunization program.

All booster shots must be completely protected from the virus.

Paris, correspondent

ap