Polio alarm in 7 cities: Virus discovered in the waste water!

Polio alarm in 7 cities: Virus discovered in the waste water!

A shocking discovery is currently causing a stir in Germany: Polio viruses have been demonstrated in the wastewater of seven cities, reports Apollo news . The alarming rehearsals come from Munich, Cologne, Hamburg, Bonn, and the recently affected cities of Düsseldorf, Mainz and Dresden. However, these polioviruses are not wild pathogens, but come from the swallowing vaccination, which is mainly used in Asia and Africa.

Since 2021, samples of wastewater samples have been systematically investigated in Germany. The fact that the viruses found are not infectious stems because these weakened pathogens are excreted in the context of vaccinations. In Germany, the swallowing vaccine has not been used since 1998. Instead, an inactivated vaccine is used that ensures that people remain protected from the dangerous effects of the virus.

No reason for panic: appeasement experts

An expert from the WHO base Poliomyelitis, virologist Rainer Gosert, calms the concern of the population: the mere detection in the waste water does not necessarily indicate an infection risk. Rather, this shows how effectively the early warning systems used work. The discovery is therefore an indication of the functioning of wastewater monitoring, which is described by scientists as effective, as well as Tagesschau reports. Expert Andreas Wieser points out that the mutation of vaccine viruses to dangerous pathogens is an extreme rarity. The probability is statistically at 1 to 2.7 million.

An important aspect of the discoveries is the function of the wastewater monitoring. These draw attention to the anonymity and width of surveillance. In this way, parts of the population are checked unnoticed, which plays a significant role in connection with the globe -tensioning travel and migration movements. The careful view of the vaccination status is recommended, because the control mechanisms now give reason to check and possible refresher the immunizations.

A call to check the vaccination status

The risk of polio in Germany remains low thanks to a high vaccination rate, but the current incidents are strongly reminiscent of the dangers that can go hand in hand with inadequate immunity. The permanent RKI vaccination commission recommends that they have to vaccination for infants and a refresher vaccination for young people. The surprising virus find in the waste water is intended to alert the population to check their own vaccination status and update them if necessary. The aim is to ensure that every person who lives in Germany is well protected against local and introduced infectious diseases.