Virological surveillance in wastewater has shown the presence of poliovirus. The detection was carried out during routine controls of Barcelona’s wastewater at the Besòs Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). Water for mouth and daily use is not affected and is completely suitable for use since it circulates through completely different circuits.
The Secretary of Public Health and the Public Health Agency of Barcelona have activated the protocol to monitor the circulation of poliovirus in the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona, intensifying wastewater analysis and the active identification of possible cases in health centers. Likewise, notifications have been sent to state and international organizations.
Mouth water is not affected
The Coordination Center for Health Alerts and Emergencies (CCAES) has been notified, samples have been sent to the National Center for Microbiology (CNM) and the actions planned in the Spanish Action Plan for the Eradication of Poliomelitis have been implemented, taking into account taking into account the context of high immunity of the general population towards this disease.
The detection of poliovirus in wastewater indicates water contamination and spread of the virus through fecal excretion from an infected person. However, 95.7% of the Catalan population is vaccinated against the polio virus, so the risk of transmission is very low. It must be taken into account that the persistence of the poliovirus in endemic areas of the world, especially in Afghanistan and Pakistan, cannot rule out the possibility of significant cases appearing on a global scale.
Besòs wastewater treatment plant.
From Salut they state that the hygienic-sanitary quality of the water for human consumption, in the affected area, has not been compromised since it is guaranteed by the different circuits of the drinking water purification processes, with respect to the processes of wastewater disposal.
Public Health recommendations are to maintain and reinforce the vaccination strategy, especially in children, populations with more difficulties accessing the health system and among travelers to countries where the disease is still endemic. It is also necessary to monitor acute flaccid paralyses, to detect any cases early.
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