Polio
June 2022: Polio has been detected in London sewage samples
The UK Health Security Agency has requested that we report any suspected cases of Acute Flaccid Paralysis / Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFP/AFM) not explained by a non-infectious cause, as part of national surveillance for polio.
Acute flaccid paralysis/myelitis is characterised by rapid onset of weakness of an individual's extremities, often including weakness of the muscles of respiration and swallowing, progressing to maximum severity within 10 days. The term 'flaccid' indicates weakness accompanied by hyporeflexia or areflexia in the affected limb(s).
Any patient meeting the above case definition, should:
i. be reported by calling the UKHSA national duty doctor line (020 8200 4400) between 9am and 5.30pm 7 days a week
ii. have the following samples collected and sent to the UKHSA Virus Reference Department for poliovirus isolation and further characterisation:
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- two stool samples 48 hours apart
- throat swabs / nasopharyngeal aspirate (NPA) and
- cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (if collected)
iii Have an enhanced surveillance questionnaire completed
In addition, stool samples are encouraged for all acute neurological illness presentations including meningitis – see National Polio Guidance
Please see more information on notifiable diseases.