New York Health Department says hundreds of people may be infected with polio virus

New York state well being officers have discovered indications of further circumstances of polio virus in wastewater samples from two completely different counties, main them to warn that lots of of individuals could also be contaminated with the possibly severe virus.

Simply two weeks in the past, the New York Well being Division reported the nation’s first case of polio in nearly a decade, in Rockland County, north of New York Metropolis. Officers mentioned that case occurred in a beforehand wholesome younger grownup who was unvaccinated and developed paralysis of their legs. Since then, three constructive wastewater samples from Rockland County and 4 from neighboring Orange County had been found and genetically linked to the primary case, the well being division mentioned in a press launch on Thursday, suggesting that the polio virus is being unfold inside native communities. The most recent samples had been taken from two areas in Orange County in June and July and one location in Rockland County in July.

“Based mostly 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 individuals contaminated,” State Well being Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett mentioned. “Coupled with the newest wastewater findings, the Division is treating the only case of polio as simply the tip of the iceberg of a lot higher potential unfold. As we be taught extra, what we do know is obvious: the hazard of polio is current in New York right now.” 

The well being division reiterated that it’s nonetheless investigating the virus’ origin, and mentioned that it’s not but clear whether or not the contaminated particular person in Rockland County was linked to the opposite circumstances.

Polio is “a severe and life-threatening illness,” the state well being division mentioned. It’s extremely contagious and may be unfold by individuals who aren’t but symptomatic. Signs often seem inside 30 days of an infection, and may be delicate or flu-like. Some people who find themselves contaminated might turn into paralyzed or die.

Earlier than the polio vaccine was launched within the Nineteen Fifties, hundreds of Individuals died in polio outbreaks and tens of hundreds, lots of them kids, had been left with paralysis. After a profitable vaccination marketing campaign, polio was formally declared eradicated within the U.S. in 1979. 

Unvaccinated New Yorkers are inspired to get immunized immediately, the well being division mentioned. Unvaccinated individuals who stay, work or spend time in Rockland County, Orange County and the higher New York metropolitan space are on the biggest threat.

Most school-aged kids have acquired the polio vaccine, which is a four-dose course, began between 6 weeks and a pair of months of age and adopted by one shot at 4 months, one at 6 to 12 months, and one between the ages of 4 and 6. In keeping with the well being division, about 60% of youngsters in Rockland County have acquired three polio pictures earlier than their second birthday, as have about 59% in Orange County — each under the 79% statewide determine. 

In keeping with the CDC’s most up-to-date childhood vaccination knowledge, about 93% of 2-year-olds within the U.S. had acquired no less than three doses of polio vaccine.

In the meantime, adults who will not be vaccinated would obtain a three-dose immunization, and those that are vaccinated however at excessive threat can obtain a lifetime booster shot, in line with the well being division.

The vaccine is 99% efficient in kids who obtain the complete four-dose regime, well being officers mentioned.

“It’s regarding that polio, a illness that has been largely eradicated via vaccination, is now circulating in our neighborhood, particularly given the low charges of vaccination for this debilitating illness in sure areas of our County,” Orange County Well being Commissioner Dr. Irina Gelman mentioned. “I urge all unvaccinated Orange County residents to get vaccinated as quickly as medically possible.”

Rockland County Division of Well being Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert issued an analogous assertion, calling on people who find themselves not vaccinated to get the pictures “instantly.”

Polio has hardly ever appeared within the U.S. because it was declared eradicated over 40 years in the past. The final reported case was introduced by a traveler in 2013, in line with The Related Press.