Breaking: Poliovirus detected in Perth wastewater
Poliovirus has been detected in Perth's wastewater, marking a rare finding in Western Australia. The strain identified is a vaccine-derived poliovirus Type 2, likely linked to overseas transmission, according to health officials. While the detection is significant, authorities stress the risk to the public is very low due to high vaccination rates and Australia's polio-free status since 2000.
- ▪Poliovirus was detected in Perth wastewater in mid-April 2026, marking a rare occurrence in Western Australia.
- ▪The strain identified is a vaccine-derived poliovirus Type 2, similar to those found in Africa, Europe, and Papua New Guinea.
- ▪Western Australia's polio vaccination coverage for children is 92%, reducing the risk of community transmission.
- ▪Australia was declared polio-free in 2000 and has had no local transmission since 1972.
- ▪The WA Department of Health is increasing wastewater testing frequency in the Perth metropolitan area.
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Poliovirus linked to overseas transmission detected in Perth wastewaterTopic:Public Health16m ago16 minutes agoFri 1 May 2026 at 1:04amAustralia was declared polio-free in 2000. (AP: Sarah Poser, Meredith Boyter Newlove/CDC)abc.net.au/news/poliovirus-detected-in-perth-wastewater-/106621850Link copiedShareShare articlePoliovirus has been detected in a sample of Perth's wastewater, health officials have revealed.Authorities said the detection in mid-April was evidence of a vaccine-derived poliovirus Type 2 strain, similar to what has been detected in countries such as Africa, Europe and Papua New Guinea in recent years.Western Australia's chief health officer, Dr Clare Huppatz, said while it was extremely unusual, it presented a very low risk to the population."While this is a significant…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at ABC News (Australia).