Poliovirus detected in Perth wastewater as health officials monitor low-risk strain
SSBCrack News
Last updated: May 2, 2026
Poliovirus has been detected in wastewater samples in Perth, Western Australia, indicating the presence of a vaccine-derived poliovirus Type 2. Health officials confirmed the finding in mid-April, raising public health concerns.
- Health officials confirmed the detection of poliovirus in a wastewater sample from Perth in mid-April.
- The identified poliovirus strain is a vaccine-derived poliovirus Type 2 (VDPV2).
- VDPVs are rare strains of poliovirus that can emerge when the live attenuated poliovirus (from the oral polio vaccine) circulates in the population for an extended period.
- This extended circulation can lead to the virus mutating and regaining its ability to cause paralysis.
- While the risk to the general population is considered low, health authorities are closely monitoring the situation.
- The detection highlights the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to prevent the re-emergence of poliovirus.
- Public health advice emphasizes that the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), which is part of routine childhood immunisation schedules, provides effective protection against all types of poliovirus, including VDPVs.
- Individuals who are not fully vaccinated against polio are at a higher risk of infection.
- No cases of paralysis associated with this detection have been reported.
- Wastewater surveillance is a key tool in detecting the presence of poliovirus and monitoring its circulation.
- Further investigations are underway to determine the source and extent of the VDPV2 detection.
