The virus that causes polio has been found in New York City’s wastewater, health authorities reported Friday, weeks after a polio case was confirmed in Rockland County, north of the city.
The detection of the poliovirus in the city’s wastewater indicates that the virus is most likely being circulated locally, according to the municipal and state health officials.
In a tweet, the departments said, “Polio may cause paralysis and even death.” “We encourage unvaccinated New Yorkers to be vaccinated as soon as possible.”
The NYC Health Department and @HealthNYGov have discovered poliovirus in NYC sewage, implying that the virus is being transmitted locally. Polio may cause paralysis or even death. We encourage unvaccinated New Yorkers to get vaccinated as soon as possible: pic.twitter.com/TTmjZWhwtd https://t.co/ELJCZi1WOL
— @nycHealthy (New York City) 12th of August, 2022
The discovery of poliovirus in New York City wastewater samples is “alarming, but not unexpected,” according to State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett.
“The best method to keep adults and children polio-free is via safe and effective vaccination,” Bassett added.
Earlier this month, New York state health authorities said that they discovered evidence of more poliovirus infections in wastewater samples from two other counties, prompting them to warn that hundreds of individuals might be infected with the potentially deadly virus.
The New York Health Department revealed the nation’s first case of polio in over a decade in Rockland County last month. According to officials, the case included a previously healthy young adult who was unvaccinated and acquired paralysis in their legs.