Polio found in sewer RIVM site, inspection is investigating

The polio virus was found in sewers at the RIVM health service site. The Utrecht Science Park in Bilthoven also houses a research institute that deals with polio and a large producer of polio vaccines.

The Healthcare and Youth Inspectorate (IGJ) is investigating exactly how the virus could end up in the sewage system and whether employees have been exposed to polio. The inspection service confirms this on Wednesday after reporting de Volkskrant.

Discovered last month

The polio virus was detected as early as the first week of August in samples taken on July 21 during a standard check from the sewer at the research site in Bilthoven. The World Health Organization was subsequently informed of the find on 19 August.

After the positive measurement, the sewage water was sampled three more times, but no more virus particles were found, says a spokesperson for the inspection. As a precaution, the blood and faeces of 120 employees of the RIVM, Bilthoven Biologicals and Intravacc are examined. Half has now been given a definite answer: no one was carrying the virus.

Also read: Geuko (5) paralyzed by polio-like illness within 48 hours

‘No danger’

According to the regulator, public health has not been endangered. The inspection points out that the sewage system in our country is a closed system and that the purification is done in such a way that it makes the polio virus harmless.

The IGJ is investigating whether incidents have occurred at the three institutions. “There are two possible routes through which the virus could have entered the sewer,” explains a spokesman for the inspection service. “Via the waste water from one of the institutions, or via the toilet.”

In order to determine the origin, the DNA of the virus is examined, among other things. Because RIVM is involved in the matter, a foreign company has been engaged for this.

What is polio?

Polio is a disease that causes severe paralysis, but which, thanks to a strict vaccination policy, is no longer occurring in the Western world. Those who have been vaccinated can no longer get the disease, but they can contract the virus and transmit it to people who have not been vaccinated. Infection takes place through saliva, for example through coughing or contact with faeces.

ANP

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