New York health authorities say the polio virus has been detected in sewage from New York City, suggesting the virus is likely circulating in the city.
The announcement came after a man in Rockland County, NY, north of the city, fell ill with polio. leaving him with paralysis. Health officials are concerned that the discovery of polio in New York City’s sewage could be followed by other polio cases. Vaccination rates across the city dropped slightly during the pandemic, as children’s pediatrician visits were postponed.
But most adults were vaccinated against polio as children. Across New York State, almost 80 percent of people are vaccinated. The spread of the virus poses a risk to unvaccinated people, but the polio vaccine is nearly 100% effective in people who are fully immunized.
Three doses of the vaccine provide at least 99 percent protection, but in some ZIP codes less Two-thirds of children 5 and under have received it, worrying health officials.
Health authorities say that although many people infected with polio have no symptoms, about 4% will develop viral meningitis and about one in 200 will become paralyzed, health authorities say. said. Health authorities recommend that parents with children who have not been fully immunized take them to a pediatrician.
Dr Ashwin Vasan, New York City health commissioner, said: “The risk to New Yorkers is real but the prevention is simple – get vaccinated against polio. “With polio circulating in our community, nothing is more essential than vaccinating our children to protect them from this virus, and if you are an unvaccinated adult or not yet fully immunized, please choose to be immunized now.”
He added: “Poliosis is completely preventable and its reappearance should be a call to action for all of us.
Paralyzed already was detected in wastewater samples taken in the north of New York City. But Friday’s announcement was the first indication it had been spotted in New York City.
