Poliovirus Detected in Warsaw

In November 2024, a sample of municipal sewage collected in Warsaw, Poland, revealed the presence of wild poliovirus type 2.

Poland's health ministry wrote on November 18, 2024, 'This disclosure does not indicate disease among humans, but according to WHO guidelines, suggests the need to take preventive measures.'

In connection with this incident, the State Sanitary Inspectorate took several actions, including updating poliomyelitis vaccine stock levels. In 2023, the vaccination rate of children aged 3 in Poland was 86%.

The last poliovirus detections in Poland were recorded in 1982 and 1984.

'However, due to cases of this vaccine-preventable disease in Asia and Africa, continuous surveillance is being carried out in Warsaw for flaccid paralysis cases, and municipal sewage is being tested for poliomyelitis viruses,' added the ministry.

According to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, similar poliovirus detections have recently occurred in various countries. For example, Pakistan reported additional wild poliovirus type 1 cases, increasing the total cases to 50 in 2024.

When the U.S. CDC updated its Level 2—Practice Enhanced Precautions, Travel Health Advisory in August 2024, Poland was not among the 37 countries that had reported poliovirus issues. 

The CDC says that before traveling to any of the listed destinations, adults who have previously completed the entire routine polio vaccine series may receive a single lifetime booster dose of the polio vaccine. Regardless of age, anyone who has not been vaccinated can get the disease. 

Polio vaccines are offered at health clinics and pharmacies in the U.S.