poliomyelitis
Polioviruses discovered in wastewater from other German cities
The paralysis triggered by polioviruses is considered to be largely eradicated. But now the pathogens in the sewage of German cities have been detected. Experts are concerned.
After the discovery of polioviruses in Munich, Bonn, Cologne, Hamburg Dresden, Düsseldorf and Mainz, the pathogens in rehearsals from other German cities have been detected. There were now also positive tests from sewage plants in Stuttgart and Berlin, as the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) announced.
The two cities together with Frankfurt am Main have been added to the tests. The evidence dates from the period between the beginning of November (Berlin) and early December 2024 (Stuttgart).
The pathogens are therefore not the wild type of the poliovirus, but viruses that go back to swallowing against children’s paralysis with weakened but living polio pathogens. The weakened vaccination viruses can be excreted and spread by vaccinated people for up to six weeks. They have changed so that they can potentially make them insufficiently vaccinated people. The swallowing vaccination is no longer used in Germany.
Polioviren: Positive rehearsals in other European countries
It is still unclear whether the viruses from abroad had been introduced or whether a transfer has already taken place in Germany, the RKI said. Such a transmission is not excluded. So far, suspected cases of the disease are not known in Germany or other affected countries in Europe.
In Spain, Poland, Great Britain and Finland, polioviruses were also recently discovered in sewage samples, as was reported on Thursday in the journal “Eurosurveillance”. “It is unclear how many countries in Europe are affected, since wastewater tests on polioviruses are only carried out in 23 of the 53 countries of the European region of the World Health Organization (WHO),” “said the RKI.
In Germany, the RKI reported for the first time on November 28, 2024 on evidence of swallowing polioviruses in the wastewater. According to the experts, the last positive rehearsals in Germany were discovered in Cologne, Bonn and Düsseldorf in mid -December. However, the results of rehearsals that had been taken over the turn of the year are still pending.
STIKO: Rapid vaccination quickly
Polio is an infectious disease that, in the worst case, can cause permanent paralysis in the event of insufficient vaccinated persons or also lead to death. The virus is often spread over contaminated water. On the other hand, there has been no therapy. The disease could be eradicated by vaccination campaigns in most countries in the world.
The current evidence is a memory that even polio -free regions are not protected from re -entry by polioviruses, the RKI said. “A complete vaccination series with a poliomyelitis effectively protects against the disease.” The permanent vaccination commission (STIKO) recommends three vaccine doses for all children in the first year of life. A refreshing vaccination should take place at the age of 9 to 16 years. In view of the current situation, failed vaccinations should be made up for as soon as possible.
Dpa
mode
Source: Stern
I’m Caroline, a journalist and author for 24 Hours Worlds. I specialize in health-related news and stories, bringing real-world impact to readers across the globe. With my experience in journalism and writing in both print and online formats, I strive to provide reliable information that resonates with audiences from all walks of life.
