Top health official: New York treating polio case as ‘tip of the iceberg’

New York’s well being commissioner mentioned Thursday that the state is treating its single case of polio – the primary affected person identified to be contaminated with the virus within the U.S. in almost a decade – as “simply the tip of the iceberg.” 

“Primarily based on earlier polio outbreaks, New Yorkers ought to know that for each one case of paralytic polio noticed, there could also be lots of of different folks contaminated,” State Well being Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett mentioned in a press release. 

“Coupled with the most recent wastewater findings, the Division is treating the only case of polio as simply the tip of the iceberg of a lot larger potential unfold. As we be taught extra, what we do know is obvious: the hazard of polio is current in New York in the present day. We should meet this second by guaranteeing that adults, together with pregnant folks, and younger kids by 2 months of age are updated with their immunization – the secure safety in opposition to this debilitating virus that each New Yorker wants,” she mentioned. 

The State Division of Well being mentioned that, following the identification of polio in Rockland County, the virus has additionally been detected in wastewater samples from Orange County and Rockland County. 

NY POLIO FEARS ON THE RISE WITH POSSIBLE ‘COMMUNITY SPREAD’ OF THE DANGEROUS VIRUS

Officers have discovered seven optimistic samples from Rockland County and Orange County which are genetically linked to the person case of paralytic polio beforehand recognized. 

“These findings present additional proof of native—not worldwide—transmission of a polio virus that may trigger paralysis and potential group unfold, underscoring the urgency of each New York grownup and baby getting immunized, particularly these within the larger New York metropolitan space,” the division wrote.

The investigation into the origin of the virus is ongoing.  

This 2014 illustration made obtainable by the U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention depicts a polio virus particle. On Thursday, July 21, 2022.
(Sarah Poser, Meredith Boyter Newlove/CDC through AP)

NEW YORK COUNTY OFFICIAL URGES RESIDENTS TO GET VACCINATED AFTER FIRST CASE OF POLIO IN YEARS

All New Yorkers who’re unvaccinated ought to get immunized instantly, with residents of these counties and the larger New York metropolitan space on the highest threat of publicity.

FILE – Dad and mom and their kids wait in lengthy traces exterior a Syracuse faculty to obtain the Sabin oral polio vaccine on Aug. 29, 1961. 
(AP Photograph, File)

Whereas there isn’t any treatment for polio, it’s preventable via immunization. 

Polio could be very contagious, and a person can transmit the virus even when they aren’t sick. 

Signs can take as much as 30 days to look, and a few instances may end up in paralysis or loss of life.