Dun Laoghaire TD Devlin asks Minister to test for polio virus in wastewater

Dun Laoghaire TD Cormac Devlin has asked the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD if public health authorities’ can sample for the presence of the polio virus in wastewater.

Deputy Devlin raised this matter as way of a parliamentary question, after reports emerged that public health officials in the UK found evidence of community transmission of poliovirus for the first time, following routine testing.

Deputy Devlin said: “Currently, there is no national wastewater surveillance for enterovirus, including polio virus.

“However, I understand that following the recently introduced national wastewater surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 there are discussions about including enterovirus surveillance (including poliovirus) in the future.

“While the numbers of wild poliovirus detected in London were small, they are rising and international travel is adding to the risk factor,” he said.

“I am calling on my colleagues in Government to consider establishing a national testing programme, without delay, which could prove vital in preventing potential future outbreaks.”