Polio has been detected in London for the first time in nearly 40 years.

A national incident has been declared after UK health officials detected the virus in London sewage samples.

Polio New Zealand president and survivor Brian Robinson told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's likely been passed on from someone jabbed against the virus to another who's unvaccinated.

He says it shouldn't be a problem in New Zealand due to our high vaccination rates.

“People are vaccinated as babies and then a bit later on with a booster, so we’re probably OK, but it could be a concern for someone who’s not been vaccinated.”

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