Concern about immunity to poliomyelitis following an outbreak of hepatitis A in Glasgow.

We report a major outbreak of hepatitis A enteroviral infection in an area of deprived urban housing in Glasgow. The epidemic was associated with contamination of the environment by refuse and sewage. This prompted us to investigate immunity to polioviruses. We examined samples of serum in 24 of 47 cases of hepatitis A for antibodies against polioviruses types 1, 2 and 3. Titres were satisfactory in 82%, 100% and 35% respectively. These results highlight a need for further seroepidemiological studies of immunity to polioviruses in the U.K. Recommendations are made to restrict enteroviral contamination of the environment.