Joint communication from the GfV and the DVV on the detection of a wild poliovirus type 1 in a wastewater sample in Hamburg
In the current issue 46/2025 of the Epidemiological Bulletin [1], the National Reference Center for Poliomyelitis and Enteroviruses (NRZ PE) reports on the detection of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in a wastewater sample from Hamburg.
The current poliovirus detections make clear
- the need for timely and complete vaccinations and
- the need for the availability of virucidal hand disinfectants based on ethanol.
To ensure effective disinfection against non-enveloped viruses (e.g. poliovirus), ethanol-based hand disinfectants must be used [2].
This requirement is currently jeopardized by the fact that the ECHA is pursuing a classification of ethanol as carcinogenic and toxic to reproduction as part of regulatory processes at EU level. This classification can lead to the use of ethanol-based hand disinfectants being prevented for health and safety reasons - even though it is known that the quantities of ethanol absorbed through hand disinfection are below toxicologically relevant concentrations. The WHO has also deemed ethanol-based hand sanitizers to be indispensable [3,4].
The procedure at EU level does not take into account the type of application, namely on the skin or inhaled in small quantities when spraying. Rather, the classification is based on studies on the misuse of alcoholic beverages and will be decided on November 26. The outcome remains to be seen and it is hoped that the current poliovirus circulation will be taken into account.
References:
- Robert Koch Institute: Wild poliovirus type 1 detected in wastewater sample in Hamburg Epid Bull 2025;46:10-12 | DOI 10.25646/13559; https://edoc.rki.de/bitstream/handle/176904/13072/EB-46-2025_10-25646-13559.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y; Retrieved 17.11.2025
- Statement of the Verbund für Angewandte Hygiene (VAH), Ethanol as a biocidal active ingredient for hygienic hand disinfection indispensable, 10/2020; https://vah-online.de/files/download/news/VAH_Ethanol_Biozidwirkstoff_29Oktober2020.pdf; Retrieved on 17.11.2025
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine ITEM: Effects of a classification of ethanol as CMR; https://ethanol-allianz.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/210105-ITEM_Einstufung_Ethanol_CMR-Folgen-final_3.pdf; Retrieved on 17.11.2025
- Medical associations and expert committees urge that ethanol be approved as a virucidal active substance for use in hand antiseptics under the European Biocidal Products Regulation, without a CMR classification – GMS Hyg Infect Control 2024 Aug 21:19:Doc40. DOI: 10.3205/dgkh000495; Retrieved on 11/17/2025