The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has detected two poliovirus strains in wastewater samples taken from a treatment plant in Cape Town. The National Department of Health says there is no outbreak, and no additional vaccination campaign is required.
The detection was made during routine environmental surveillance and was confirmed by the Department of Health in a statement issued on Friday, 22 May 2026.
What was detected
According to the department, the strains identified are vaccine-derived poliovirus Type 3 (VDPV3) and novel oral poliovirus vaccine Type 2-like (nOPV2-L). Both were picked up through proactive wastewater testing aimed at detecting emerging outbreaks before clinical cases appear.
Department of Health response
Health spokesperson Foster Mohale said the findings are classified as “vaccine events” because no human cases of polio have been recorded.
“South Africa was officially certified polio-free by the World Health Organisation’s African Regional Certification Commission in September 2019. This suggests that these viruses detected in wastewater are likely from imported cases of people vaccinated with different vaccines from those used in South Africa. This does not translate to an outbreak,” Mohale said.
Surveillance stepped up
The department, working with the NICD, has activated standard response measures, including strengthened surveillance and an increased frequency of environmental wastewater sampling. The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness, through spokesperson Dwayne Evans, confirmed that provincial authorities are working with national health officials.
The public has been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspected polio symptoms, such as muscle weakness, to the nearest healthcare provider.
Source: Statement issued by the National Department of Health on 22 May 2026, with comment from spokesperson Foster Mohale. Detection confirmed by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).
