Poliovirus found in sewage sparks fears of outbreak. No actual cases of the devastating disease poliomyelitis (polio) have been reported, the discovery in cities like Barcelona, Warsaw, Munich, and Hamburg has experts calling for immediate action to plug gaps in vaccination coverage before the virus gets a foothold on mainland Europe.
Poliovirus binding to its receptor CD155 on a human cell. Poliovirus causes poliomyelitis. Poliovirus has to bind to CD155 to be able to enter human cells. Source: PDB entry 3j9f. 3d rendering.
Credit: Shutterstock, Juan Gaertner
Health chiefs are on high alert after traces of the crippling poliovirus were uncovered in sewage across Germany, Poland, and Spain this autumn, sparking urgent warnings for European nations to bolster vaccination and disease surveillance efforts.
Polio-free but not foolproof
The virus remains a lurking threat in parts of the world like Afghanistan and Pakistan. With global travel back in full swing, unvaccinated people in Europe could find themselves at risk if the virus starts spreading locally. According to Oliver Rosenbauer, spokesperson for the WHO’s polio eradication efforts; ‘anytime you detect poliovirus in a previously polio-free area, it’s a red flag.’
Polio vaccination rates ‘under the microscope’
Despite high national vaccination rates – 93% in Spain, 91% in Germany, and 85% in Poland – small isolated pockets of unvaccinated people living closely together could recreate fertile ground for the virus to spread again. Health officials in Poland are particularly worried, as the country has one of the lowest vaccination rates in Europe.
In fact, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) estimates that up to 2.4 million children across the EU may have missed their polio jabs between 2012 and 2021.
Dr Thea K Fischer, a European disease expert, warned, that we’ve got ‘under-vaccinated communities not just abroad but right here in Europe.’
About the poliovirus
The majority of polio infections (about 70-90%) are asymptomatic, meaning people don’t even know they’re infected.
Some cases result in flu-like symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, and stiffness. While uncomfortable, this form is typically not life-threatening.
In about 1 in 200 infections, the virus invades the central nervous system, causing paralysis. If the muscles used for breathing are affected, it can become life-threatening without medical intervention (such as a ventilator or an “iron lung”). The fatality rate for paralytic polio can range from 5-10% when it affects respiratory muscles and is untreated. Survivors of paralytic polio may face complications years later.
Polio sewage surveillance
Poliovirus often shows up in sewage, shed in the waste of infected people – but here’s the twist: it can also come from people vaccinated with the oral polio vaccine. This vaccine contains a weakened live virus that’s safe but capable of leaving traces in the environment.
In areas with poor sanitation, this virus can mutate into a dangerous form if it circulates long enough. Thankfully, this isn’t a major concern for Germany, Spain, or Poland, which boast strong sanitation systems.
What’s next?
Polish authorities are urging parents to ensure their kids are vaccinated, while Germany has rolled out free testing kits to clinics to keep human infections in check. Spain has ramped up its immunisation awareness campaigns.
Health officials are adamant that a 95% vaccination rate is the gold standard to shield children and communities from potential outbreaks.
Don’t let polio sneak back in.
The message is clear: this is no time for complacency. Polio’s unwelcome reappearance in Europe is a wake-up call. With robust vaccination efforts and continued surveillance, the continent can keep the virus locked out – for good. It is a devastating yet preventable disease.
This is not the first time the poliovirus has been detected in ‘polio-free’ countries. It was recently detected in the US, the UK, and several other European countries.
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