Overview
- A composite sample taken at a Hamburg treatment plant on 6 October tested positive for wild poliovirus type 1, with confirmation published by the RKI this week.
- Sequencing indicates close similarity to variants circulating in Afghanistan, according to the RKI.
- No poliomyelitis cases have been reported, and officials emphasize that the inactivated vaccine prevents disease; the RKI and STIKO urge people to close immunization gaps.
- The finding is unrelated to the vaccine‑derived type 2 polioviruses detected in German wastewater since late 2024 under the RKI–Umweltbundesamt surveillance program.
- Hamburg’s response group has convened, further wastewater testing is underway, the source cannot be pinpointed from a mixed sample, and drinking water is unaffected.