Two wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) positive environmental samples have been reported from Hamburg on 7 and 13 October 2025. These samples are from the same collection site as the previously-reported WPV1-positive environmental sample collected on 6 October 2025. The isolates are closely genetically linked. There are no associated cases of paralysis and no evidence of local community transmission.
The risk for the general population is considered as low due to the high vaccination coverage in Germany. However, unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated individuals may be at risk for polio.
For all individuals, including refugees and migrants: routine vaccination against polio according to national guidelines is important (Swiss FOPH recommendations | STIKO, Germany recommendations).
Travellers going to countries where wild poliovirus or polio vaccine virus is endemic should get vaccinated against polio, see recommendations on the country pages at www.healthytravel.ch.