What is that Polio Picture?  Pakistan – Young cricket fans show their support for a polio-free Pakistan at a recent test match between Pakistan and Australia 

Did You Know? that there are 15-20 million polio survivors in our world? And that 60-75% are subject to having Post Polio Syndrome?

Trouble Years Later – According to diagnostic criteria developed by the March of Dimes, Postpolio Syndrome is new muscle weakness or decreased endurance that occurs in people with a history of paralytic polio, after partial or complete recovery from the infection and a long interval — typically 15 to 30 years — of stable functioning. The weakness comes on gradually, persists for at least a year, progresses slowly, and can be accompanied by fatigue, muscle wasting, and muscle and joint pain. Some patients also develop sleeping problems, breathing problems, and difficulty swallowing.

Vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (VDPV2) detected in environmental samples in London, UK

Today, the Global Polio Laboratory Network (GPLN) has confirmed the isolation of type 2 vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV2) from environmental samples in London, United Kingdom, which were detected as part of ongoing disease surveillance.  It is important to note that the virus has been isolated from environmental samples only – no associated cases of paralysis have been detected.  Recent coverage for the primary course of DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB vaccination, which protects against several diseases including polio, in London suggests immunization coverage of 86.6%.  While this is a scary finding, it also points to the importance of high quality surveillance.