MHRA Speeds Up Global Polio Eradication with Advanced Detection Method

MHRA is showcasing efforts to train various WHO polio labs worldwide with an advanced molecular direct detection technique that can reduce detection times by 50%, aiding in the global push to eliminate polio and save lives.

Working with Imperial College London, the University of Edinburgh, Biosurv International, and supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, we have provided training to 25 countries in slightly more than a year on utilizing a method known as Direct Detection by Nanopore Sequencing (DDNS). This technique can accelerate the identification of polio outbreaks, preserving valuable time and money for public health agencies. This involves setting up training facilities in Pakistan, one of the remaining two countries where polio is still prevalent, as the number of cases has been on the rise this year.

Detecting polio early is crucial, as the virus spreads quickly among a group of people. When polio is detected in a country, hundreds of individuals are likely already infected and can spread the virus to those who are not fully immunized. The virus replicates in the intestine after being transmitted through contact with contaminated food and water, typically infected feces, and can then infiltrate the nervous system to result in paralysis.

The MHRA oversees the regulation of all medicines and medical devices in the UK to ensure their efficacy and safety. All of its efforts are supported by strong and evidence-based assessments to make sure that the rewards outweigh any potential dangers.