Polio in the United States

Polio was once one of the most feared diseases in the United States. Thanks to vaccination, wild poliovirus has been eliminated in this country.

The best way to keep people safe from polio is to maintain high immunity (protection) against polio in the population through vaccination.

About Polio Vaccination
Professional Resources
Wastewater Testing for Poliovirus

Considerations For Wastewater Testing for Poliovirus in the United States

Poliovirus detections in wastewater should be a rare event; work with you state and/or local health department to consider whether to initiate this type of testing.

CDC Wastewater Investigation, 2023

CDC is working with select jurisdictions to strategically expand wastewater testing for poliovirus in counties with potentially low polio vaccination coverage.