Western Australian health authorities have confirmed the detection of vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (VDPV2) in wastewater samples collected in Perth. This is the first time poliovirus has been detected in Australia in nearly two decades, according to WA Health.
The virus was identified through routine environmental surveillance. Health officials emphasize that the risk to the public remains low, as Australia maintains high vaccination coverage. However, they have ramped up testing and are urging families to ensure children are fully vaccinated against polio.
Vaccine-derived poliovirus can emerge in areas with low immunization rates, where the weakened virus from oral polio vaccine can circulate and mutate. The oral polio vaccine is no longer used in Australia; the country uses the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), which cannot cause vaccine-derived polio.
WA Health is working with the Australian government and the World Health Organization to investigate the source and prevent any potential spread. Enhanced surveillance and wastewater testing are ongoing.
