“Polio virus detection in New York City wastewater samples is worrying, but not surprising,” Mary Bassett, a state health official, said in a statement.
In mid-July, a case of polio was recorded in Rockland County, a few tens of kilometers north of Manhattan. It was the first case of polio in the country for nearly a decade.
Traces of the virus had by then already been found in the wastewater of this county and another neighboring county.
For each case of disease identified, “several hundred could go unnoticed”, Mary Bassett warned. Those people who don’t develop symptoms can still pass on the disease.
Polio, a highly contagious viral disease that particularly affects children, can cause permanent paralysis of the limbs and in some cases even death.
“The risk for New Yorkers is real, but defending yourself is so simple: get vaccinated against polio”, called Ashwin Vasan, the municipal health officer.
14% of New York City children are not vaccinated against polio
Only 86% of New York children between 6 months and 5 years received three doses of the vaccine. according to a statement by the authorities, 14% of them are not fully protected.
A free or low-cost vaccination site has been set up for children.
Experts from the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) have been sent to the state to help with screening and vaccination operations.
“The consequences of polio are devastating and irreversible and these latest developments are cause for concern,” wrote the CDC.
The disease has been virtually eradicated all over the world. But in June, British authorities had announced that they had detected traces of a form of polio at a wastewater treatment plant in north east London. Children’s vaccination was strengthened there.
With AFP
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