Concern polio could enter New Zealand

The World Health Organisation is warning there's an increase in polio cases in areas where the virus has previously been eradicated, such as London, Israel, Indonesia and New York.

Te Whatu Ora has asked clinicians to review children's polio vaccination status - and recommend immunisation to those falling behind.

Paediatrician Dr Owen Sinclair says the immunisation rate for six-month-old babies in South Auckland is about 40 percent.

He says to put that in context - when the measles epidemic hit Samoa, rates were at 32 percent - and there were dramatic death rates.