Polioviruses as indicator of virological quality of water

Viruses were found in 47 out of 53 samples of raw domestic sewage collected over a 13-month period from a high socioeconomic level community. At least 39 out of these 47 samples contained polioviruses as was expected in a population where children were receiving Sabin live-attenuated vaccine. Polioviruses could then be used as a suitable indicator of the virological quality of water in communities where Sabin vaccine is used.