Poliovirus Detected in UK Wastewater, Prompts CDC Travel Health Notice

Poliovirus Detection Confirmed in UK Wastewater

The United Kingdom has officially confirmed the detection of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in environmental samples collected from its wastewater system. This significant finding, reported by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) as of January 28, 2026, is a result of ongoing routine wastewater surveillance conducted by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

Despite the UK maintaining high vaccination coverage and having been polio-free for decades, these wastewater detections serve as a crucial early warning signal.

CDC Issues Travel Health Notice for the UK

In response to the confirmed poliovirus detection, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2 Travel Health Notice for the United Kingdom. This advisory, categorized as 'Practice Enhanced Precautions,' lists the UK among 32 countries where circulating poliovirus poses a risk.

The CDC recommends that travelers consult with a travel vaccine advisor regarding immunization options before visiting countries identified as having a high risk for poliovirus. The agency emphasizes that 'as long as the poliovirus circulates anywhere, the risk of importation persists, even in polio-free regions.'

Context and Public Health Response

The recent detection of cVDPV2 in UK wastewater aligns with a pattern of similar findings over the past two years. Previous detections of vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 were noted in 2025 and late 2024 across various locations, including Shoreham, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Worthing, Leeds Knostrop, and London Beckton/Crossness Sewage Treatment Works.

The strain identified in these UK detections has often been genetically linked to broader international clusters, with a specific genetic cluster of cVDPV2 originating from lineages first observed in Nigeria having been detected in wastewater across multiple European countries in late 2024 and into 2025. This underscores the potential for importation and silent circulation in areas with lower vaccination rates.

The NHS routine childhood vaccination schedule includes polio vaccination, with doses typically administered at 8, 12, and 16 weeks old, at 18 months old, at 3 years and 4 months old, and a final booster at 14 years old. Public health officials have consistently urged individuals to ensure their polio vaccinations are up to date to mitigate the risk of harm.

Ongoing Surveillance and Prevention

Wastewater surveillance remains a critical tool for monitoring poliovirus circulation, allowing for early detection and public health intervention. While no cases of paralytic polio have been reported in the UK since 1984, and the risk to the general public is considered low, the continued presence of poliovirus in wastewater highlights the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage.