Polio: Doctor highlights ‘safest way' to protect yourself as national incident declared

From one viral threat to another, and then another, the UK has been on the frontline of a barrage of medicinal issues in the past two years. It started with the long-term stress on the NHS, stress only exacerbated by what came next. Since 2020, the waves of COVID-19, long Covid and the return of monkeypox have only acted to increase the pressure on tired and embattled health personnel. As polio returns, health officials are again concerned.

The virus was first detected in North London.

In reaction to this latest viral revival the UKHSA (United Kingdom Health Security Agency) has declared a national incident.

An investigation is now underway to identify how the outbreak started and how to curb the local transmission of the virus.

Meanwhile, health experts are lining up with useful advice for people looking to keep themselves safe.

READ MORE: High cholesterol: The exercise shown to lower 'bad' cholesterol

© Getty Images Symptoms of polio are rare.

One such expert is Dr Annette Alaeus of healthcare provider Livi.

Speaking to Express.co.uk she said: "The safest way to protect yourself from Polio is to ensure you're up to date with all of your vaccines.

"Doing this will help train your body to produce antibodies to fight a potential virus. If you do become exposed, your body knows what to do.

"And instead of experiencing a harmful or even fatal infection, the person usually has just a mild infection or no infection at all."

DON'T MISSSandra Bullock: Star unable to make 'healthy decisions' - burnout [CELEBRITY HEALTH]Alcohol-related liver disease: Are you at risk? [FATTY LIVER DISEASE]Coronavirus: Is there a 'safe' spot on trains to minimise your risk? [CORONAVIRUS]

What the UKHSA has said

In a statement, the security agency was keen to tell people the risk to the public was low.

Consultant Epidemiologist with the UKHSA Dr Vanessa Saliba added: "Vaccine-derived poliovirus has the potential to spread, particularly in communities where vaccine uptake is lower.

"On rare occasions it can cause paralysis in people who are not fully vaccinated so if you or your child are not up to date with your polio vaccinations it's important you contact your GP to catch up or if unsure check your Red Book."

Dr Saliba said the NHS "has been asked to swiftly report any suspected cases to the UKHSA, though no cases have been reported or confirmed so far".

Meanwhile, Chief Nurse for NHS London Jane Clegg weighed: "The majority of Londoners are fully protected against

Polio and won't need to take any further action, but the NHS will begin reaching out to parents of children aged under 5 in London who are not up to date with their Polio vaccinations to invite them to get protected.

"Meanwhile, parents can also check their child's vaccination status in their Red Book and people should contact their GP surgery to book a vaccination, should they or their child not be fully up to date."

Although making a return after four decades away, polio vaccinations have remained an essential part of a childhood in the interim; children are normally administered the vaccine to protect them from the virus.

© Getty Images Polio returns for the first time since 1984.

While the virus rarely causes symptoms, it some cases they can appear in the form of:

• A high temperature

• Fatigue

• Headaches

• Vomiting

• A stiff neck

• Muscle pain.

Symptoms normally last for up to 10 days and are not permanent; paralysis is rare.