Poliovirus in EU Wastewater: Urgent monitoring and vaccination

On 9 December 2024, Finland reported the presence of poliovirus in waste water after similar findings in Spain, Poland, Germany, and the UK. There are still no cases of human polio in the EU, but the risk of the virus spreading requires high vaccination coverage, especially in areas with lower rates. It is crucial to protect children through the polio vaccine and monitor immunization rates at the regional level. The ECDC underlines the importance of efficient surveillance systems, such as environmental and acute flaccid paralysis monitoring, to detect poliovirus early. National authorities must ensure that no population group remains vulnerable.