Cases of polio are on the rise in the UK.
A warning has been issued to parents in the UK after a spike in polio cases.
According to reports, cases are at an all-time high.
Experts believe that low vaccination uptake is partly to blame.
Vaccines will be offered to children, aged one to 11, as part of a catch-up campaign. Parents in the UK have also been told to be aware of symptoms.
However, most people with polio don’t have symptoms.
A minority of people may have flu-like symptoms 3 to 21 days after infection.
Symptoms can include:
a fever (high temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or above)
a sore throat
a headache
abdominal (tummy) pain
People may also suffer from aching muscles as well as vomiting.
These symptoms usually pass within about a week.
People have also been told to look out for cases of paralysis as a small number of people may suffer from this if infected.
This happens when the virus attacks the base of the brain or the nerves in your spine.
Paralysis tends to affect the legs and develops within hours or days, but is not permanent.
Polio can also be life-threatening as it can affect breathing muscles, but this is rare.
The polio vaccine is free in Ireland.
Children in Ireland can get the polio vaccine for free.
It is given as part of the childhood vaccination programme.
The vaccine is given by injection in four separate doses.
Infants are given the vaccine when they are 2, 4, and 6 months of age. This is given during the 6-in-1 vaccine.
They are also given a dose when they’re 4 to 5 years of age.
