Cape Times E-dition

Polio detected in sewage samples

LONDON: Polio has been detected in sewage samples in the British capital, the first sign since the 1980s that the virus could be spreading in the country, but no cases have been found, authorities said.

The risk of infection from the disease, which causes paralysis in children in under 1% of cases, was also low because of high vaccination rates, the UK Health Security Agency said. Polio is spread mainly through contamination by faecal matter.

There is no cure, but vaccination brought the world close to ending the disease. The agency said the detections occurred when an individual vaccinated overseas with the live oral polio vaccine returned or travelled to the country.

WORLD

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2022-06-24T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-06-24T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://capetimes.pressreader.com/article/281809992575746

African News Agency