In wastewater samples

Poliovirus detected in four German cities

According to the Robert Koch Institute, polioviruses have been detected in wastewater samples from Munich, Bonn, Cologne and Hamburg.(Bild: APA/HERBERT-PFARRHOFER (Archivbild))

Polio (infantile paralysis) was long thought to be almost eradicated, but now an increasing number of cases have been reported again, even in rich industrialized countries with high vaccination rates. This includes Germany, where polio viruses have been found in waste water in four cities.

According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), polioviruses have been detected in wastewater samples from Munich, Bonn, Cologne and Hamburg. However, neither suspected cases nor illnesses have yet been reported to the federal institute.

WHO informed
The state authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO) have been informed of the findings and further samples are currently being tested. 

A polio vaccination campaign in the Gaza Strip was completed after two months. In August, the first case of polio in 25 years was discovered in the Palestinian territory.(Bild: APA/AFP)

It is assumed that the viruses were introduced into the major German cities by people who had been vaccinated in countries where oral vaccination is widespread - primarily Africa and Asia. These vaccine viruses can be shed by vaccinated people for up to six weeks.

According to "n-tv", the pathogens detected are not the wild type of poliovirus, but viruses that can be traced back to the oral polio vaccination with attenuated but live polio pathogens.

High vaccination rate in Germany
According to the RKI, although individual cases of illness among people who are not sufficiently protected are possible, the risk is low due to the high vaccination rate of 90 percent and the good hygiene conditions in Germany. Polio, also known as infantile paralysis, can cause lifelong paralysis.