Polio

2022 - 8 - 12

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Image courtesy of "The Washington Post"

Polio virus found in New York City wastewater (The Washington Post)

Health authorities said Friday that the polio virus has been found in New York City wastewater, suggesting "likely local circulation of the virus."

The oral vaccine, which is not administered in the United States, uses weakened virus to stimulate immune system protection against infection. “It’s up to parents to keep their kids healthy,” said the 35-year old Spring Valley resident, an Orthodox Jew. “Giving vaccines is what you can do to protect them. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has sent a team to Rockland County to help with the investigation. But in areas with low vaccination coverage, such as the Orthodox Jewish community in Rockland County, unvaccinated people are at high risk. Before Friday’s announcement, the virus had been found in wastewater in the northern New York City suburbs of Rockland and Orange counties. “Based on earlier polio outbreaks, New Yorkers should know that for every one case of paralytic polio observed, there may be hundreds of other people infected,” state Health Commissioner Mary T. Bassett said in last week’s statement. Officials urged anyone not immunized against polio, especially people in the greater New York metropolitan area, to get vaccinated. “Polio can lead to paralysis and even death,” the city said in a tweet. The man sought treatment in a New York City hospital in June, officials said last month, and is having difficulty walking. Officials said the New York City wastewater samples have not been genetically linked to the Rockland County case. It causes permanent paralysis in people who are not fully vaccinated in about 5 of every 1,000 cases. “With polio circulating in our communities, there is simply nothing more essential than vaccinating our children to protect them from this virus, and if you’re an unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated adult, please choose now to get the vaccine.

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Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

Polio Has Been Detected in New York City Wastewater, Officials Say (The New York Times)

The detection of the virus in sewage suggests it is circulating in the city, Health Department officials said.

Before the introduction of vaccines, the virus was a source of dread, especially during summer months, when the potential for it to spread tended to peak. An outbreak in 1952 caused paralysis in more than 20,000 people, and left many children enclosed in iron lungs. Health officials fear that the detection of polio in New York City’s wastewater could precede other cases of paralytic polio. The last case of polio to be found in the United States before the one in Rockland County was in 2013. “With polio circulating in our communities, there is simply nothing more essential than vaccinating our children to protect them from this virus, and if you’re an unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated adult, please choose now to get the vaccine.” Parents of children who have not yet been fully vaccinated should see that they are immediately, officials said.

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Image courtesy of "Politico"

Polio found in New York City wastewater, indicating a silent spread (Politico)

New York proved a petri dish for Covid-19 and monkeypox. Now polio, which is largely asymptomatic but can cause paralysis and death, could be silently ...

“With polio circulating in our communities there is simply nothing more essential than vaccinating our children to protect them from this virus, and if you’re an unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated adult, please choose now to get the vaccine.” In New York City, just over 86 percent of children aged 6 months to 5 years old have received three doses of the polio vaccine, leaving another 14 percent vulnerable, according to health officials. The city’s positive wastewater samples were collected in June and July, though state officials said they have not been genetically linked to the case in Rockland County. Already, the State Health Department — working with local and federal partners — is responding urgently, continuing case investigation and aggressively assessing spread.” “The detection of poliovirus in wastewater samples in New York City is alarming, but not surprising. New York proved a petri dish for both contagions, and now polio, which is largely asymptomatic but can cause paralysis, could be silently spreading.

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Q&A: The polio virus was detected in New York City wastewater. Do ... (NPR)

The highly infectious viral disease can lead to permanent paralysis of the arms and legs and even death in some cases. Health officials are urging people to ...

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Image courtesy of "CTV News"

Polio detected in NYC's sewage, suggesting virus circulating (CTV News)

The virus that causes polio has been found in New York City's wastewater in another sign that the disease, which hadn't been seen in the U.S. in a decade, ...

2 hr ago 2 hr ago 2 hr ago 2 hr ago Attorney General Merrick Garland declared there was 'substantial public interest in this matter,' and Trump backed the warrant's 'immediate' release. 2 hr ago According to the CDC's most recent childhood vaccination data, about 93% of 2-year-olds had received at least three doses of polio vaccine. The disease mostly affects children. Wastewater samples collected in June in both Rockland and adjacent Orange County were found to contain the virus. Children ages 1-9 in London were made eligible for booster doses of a polio vaccine Wednesday. This is also an urgent and living reminder of the importance of vaccination.” “The risk to New Yorkers is real but the defense is so simple - get vaccinated against polio,” New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan said.

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Image courtesy of "CBC.ca"

Polio virus found in New York City wastewater, suggesting local ... (CBC.ca)

"The NYC Heath Department and the New York State Department of Health have identified poliovirus in sewage in NYC, suggesting local transmission of the virus," ...

Britain's Health Security Agency said polio virus samples were found in sewage water from eight boroughs of London, but there were no confirmed infections. Earlier this month, health officials said the virus was found in wastewater in the New York City suburb a month before health officials there announced the Rockland County case. Health officials identified the virus that causes polio in New York City's wastewater, suggesting local transmission of the virus, state authorities said on Friday, urging unvaccinated New Yorkers to get vaccinated.

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Image courtesy of "Globalnews.ca"

Polio detected in NYC's sewage, virus likely spreading among the ... (Globalnews.ca)

The virus that causes polio has been found in New York City's wastewater in another sign that the disease is quietly spreading among unvaccinated people, ...

Wastewater samples collected in June in both Rockland and adjacent Orange County were found to contain the virus. According to the CDC’s most recent childhood vaccination data, about 93% of 2-year-olds had received at least three doses of polio vaccine. And we’re coordinating and we’re addressing the threats as they come before us, and we’re prepared to deal with them with the assistance of Washington, D.C.” Children ages 1-9 in London were made eligible for booster doses of a polio vaccine Wednesday. “The risk to New Yorkers is real but the defense is so simple–get vaccinated against polio,” New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan said. This is also an urgent and living reminder of the importance of vaccination.”

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Image courtesy of "Alberta Prime Times"

EXPLAINER: What to know about polio spreading in New York (Alberta Prime Times)

The polio virus has been found in New York City sewage, but officials are stressing that the highest risk is for people who haven't been vaccinated.

People who are unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated are at greatest risk of paralysis from polio. Federal officials recommend four doses: to be given at 2 months of age; 4 months; at 6 to 18 months; and at age 4 through 6 years. U.S. children are still routinely vaccinated against polio and the shots are considered to be highly effective. Its elimination in the U.S., officially declared in 1979, is considered one of the nation’s greatest public health victories. Recently, an unvaccinated young adult north of New York City contracted polio. Polio was once one of the nation’s most feared diseases, with annual outbreaks causing thousands of cases of paralysis.

NYSDOH and NYCDOHMH Wastewater Identifies Polio and Urge ... (nyc.gov)

“The risk to New Yorkers is real but the defense is so simple – get vaccinated against polio,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “With polio ...

As of January 8, 2008, all healthcare providers in New York State are required to report all immunizations administered to people less than 19 years of age, along with the person's immunization histories, to NYSDOH using NYSIIS. New York City maintains their own non-COVID-19 immunization records through the Citywide Immunization Registry (CIR). The most important way for children and adults to protect themselves from polio is to get vaccinated right away if they have not received all recommended polio vaccine doses. NYCDOHMH has been working with local providers and community leaders to promote vaccination and is developing materials for popular local communications channels. Adults who received polio vaccine as children should receive a one-time lifetime booster if traveling to an area where there is a poliovirus transmission. Health officials have increased communication to healthcare providers, stressing the on-time administration of the polio vaccine among their patients. Polio can lead to permanent paralysis of the arms and legs and even death in some cases. NYSDOH and NYCDOHMH will continue its active, ongoing wastewater surveillance efforts in partnership with CDC and to ensure prevention measures, particularly immunization clinics, are in place as the best way to keep New Yorkers and children polio-free is to maintain high immunity across the population through safe and effective immunization. Vaccine coverage for routinely recommended vaccines has fallen among children in New York City since 2019, putting us at risk for outbreaks and devastating complications of vaccine preventable diseases. Polio can lead to permanent paralysis of the arms and legs and can be fatal due to paralysis in the muscles used to breathe or swallow. Polio is entirely preventable and its reappearance should be a call to action for all of us.” The best way to keep adults and children polio-free is through safe and effective immunization – New Yorkers’ greatest protection against the worst outcomes of polio, including permanent paralysis and even death.” One in 25 people with infection with get viral meningitis and about one in 200 will become paralyzed.

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Image courtesy of "gvwire.com"

Polio Detected in NYC's Sewage, Suggesting Virus Circulating - GV ... (gvwire.com)

The polio virus has been found in New York City's wastewater in another sign that the disease is quietly spreading.

Wastewater samples collected in June in both Rockland and adjacent Orange County were found to contain the virus. Children ages 1-9 in London were made eligible for booster doses of a polio vaccine Wednesday. The disease mostly affects children. And we’re coordinating and we’re addressing the threats as they come before us, and we’re prepared to deal with them with the assistance of Washington, D.C.” “With polio circulating in our communities there is simply nothing more essential than vaccinating our children to protect them from this virus, and if you’re an unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated adult, please choose now to get the vaccine. Polio, we have identified polio in our sewage, and we’re still dealing with the monkeypox crisis.

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Image courtesy of "CBS News"

Did I get the polio vaccine? How to know if you are protected against ... (CBS News)

A case of polio was identified in Rockland County, New York, and now the virus has been detected in New York City's wastewater.

But the CDC says some adults at higher risk for polio — including health care workers who may be exposed to the virus, lab workers and people traveling to certain parts of the world where polio occurs — may want to consider vaccination. President Franklin D. Roosevelt survived a bout of polio in 1921 and was left paralyzed. Officials are still investigating its origin and it is unclear how many people may infected. Polio is "a serious and life-threatening disease," the state health department said. In some cases it can infect a person's spinal cord, causing limb weakness or paralysis that can leave a person unable to walk or breathe on their own. Several more vaccines or doses are required before entering higher grades.

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Image courtesy of "BuzzFeed News"

It's Time We Talk About Polio In The US And How To Protect Yourself (BuzzFeed News)

Polio is a life-threatening disease that's long been eradicated in the US. But a recent New York state case and traces of the virus found in NYC wastewater ...

“For people who are fully vaccinated, the risk of developing paralytic polio is not zero, but very close to zero,” Ratner said. “We've seen cases of vaccine-derived polio in the US in the past. A CDC report released last year found that between January 2020 and June 2021, 44 outbreaks involving vaccine-derived polio globally were “ongoing” that resulted in more than 1,300 cases of paralysis. This weakened virus mutates into a different form that can cause illness — and paralysis — if allowed to spread in people who are not fully vaccinated, not vaccinated at all, or immunocompromised, in which the virus can be shed for longer periods of time. The first can happen at any time, followed by a second shot one to two months later, and the third six to 12 months after that. “The most important thing is finding the people who are completely unimmunized and getting them their primary series.” Orange County, New York, where wastewater samples have turned up positive, has a polio vaccination rate of about 58%. These compare to the statewide average of about 79%. Two doses of IPV are 90% protective against all wild polioviruses, as well as VDPVs. Three doses are 99% effective, the CDC says, adding that 99 out of 100 kids who get all recommended doses are protected. All of the wastewater samples collected so far (except the ones from NYC) have been “genetically linked” to the Rockland County case, suggesting polio is spreading locally among people with no or mild symptoms. In other words, the Rockland County resident could have contracted polio at any point while in public settings. But it’s a dangerous illness that caused 15,000 cases of paralysis each year before vaccines became available in the 1950s. (There’s been a worldwide effort to eradicate polio, similar to the way smallpox was wiped from the earth thanks to vaccines, but stubborn pockets of infection persist in two countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan.)

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Image courtesy of "BuzzFeed News"

People Are Texting Their Parents To See If They Were Vaccinated ... (BuzzFeed News)

There's a good chance you were vaccinated against polio as a child, so you might want to dig up old health records or ask your parents to confirm your ...

Polio reached its height in the United States in 1952, when more than 21,000 people were paralyzed because of it. "We are living in a time where we have seen a pandemic of COVID, followed by a spread of monkeypox, and this has raised our awareness to a different level," he said. And that meant a whole lot of text messages to moms.

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