Today marks World Polio Day, a global reminder of the ongoing fight to eradicate polio. The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is spearheading efforts by training laboratories worldwide to detect polio faster using cutting-edge technology.
This collaboration is transforming early detection and saving lives.
MHRA’s Role in Polio Detection
The MHRA, in partnership with Imperial College London, the University of Edinburgh, and Biosurv International, has developed a breakthrough method called Direct Detection by Nanopore Sequencing (DDNS).
Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, this method halves detection time, which is critical in containing outbreaks. In just over a year, MHRA has trained laboratories across 25 countries, including Pakistan, one of the last polio-endemic nations.
Dr. Javier Martin, Principal Scientist in Virology at the MHRA, highlighted the importance of the DDNS technique, noting that
“this worldwide training in the DDNS method for rapid detection of polio is a major step forward in the global fight to eradicate the virus.”
His emphasis on the speed and efficiency of the method underscores its value in combating an elusive disease.
The Impact of Early Detection
Polio spreads rapidly, often without symptoms until it has infected hundreds. By the time paralysis appears, it’s too late for many. The virus primarily spreads through contaminated food and water, making it a significant public health threat in regions with limited sanitation infrastructure.
Early detection using the DDNS method ensures that public health authorities can act swiftly, testing samples within the country where outbreaks occur, rather than waiting weeks for results from overseas laboratories.
Polio Detection Time Reduction (in days) |
|---|
| Traditional Method: 42 days |
| DDNS Method: 19 days |
This method not only cuts detection time nearly in half but also allows in-country laboratories to manage the detection process independently, significantly reducing costs and time delays.
Global Training Efforts
The DDNS method’s implementation is part of a broader training programme. MHRA scientists, along with experts from Imperial College London, travel globally to equip local labs with the skills needed for this advanced detection.
The training spans one to two weeks, covering everything from sample processing to interpreting results. Countries like Angola, Mozambique, and Rwanda have already benefited from these programmes.
This international effort is more than just about polio detection.
According to Dr. Alex Shaw, a Research Fellow at Imperial College, the technique holds the potential for detecting other infectious diseases:
“The DDNS method can be adapted for the detection of other organisms, building a foundation for global health monitoring.”
Ongoing Support
A Collaborative Fight Against Polio
The global fight against polio remains a pressing concern. Although polio has been eradicated in most countries, it still poses a threat in regions where vaccination coverage is incomplete.
By embracing advanced technology like DDNS, MHRA and its partners are giving health authorities the tools they need to detect outbreaks quickly, respond effectively, and save lives. This collaborative effort is laying the groundwork not just for the eradication of polio but for tackling future health challenges across the globe.
As the World Health Organisation looks to meet its 2022–2026 polio eradication strategy, innovations like the DDNS method are providing hope that polio could soon be a disease of the past.
Sources: THX News & Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
