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Wild Polio Detected in Hamburg Wastewater as Germany Forms Expert Task Force

Officials describe the public risk as very low given Germany’s high vaccination coverage.

Overview

  • Hamburg authorities confirmed the positive sewage sample was collected in the week of October 6.
  • An expert task force has been established and additional wastewater sampling is underway in coordination with the Robert Koch Institute.
  • No infections in people have been reported in Germany to date.
  • The detection marks the first wild poliovirus found through environmental monitoring in Europe since 2010, according to Reuters and the WHO.
  • Genetic analysis links the strain to circulation in Afghanistan, and the precise source cannot be pinpointed because the wastewater catchment includes neighboring federal states.