New York officials detect polio again and warn of a possible summer wave

[ad_1]

Electron micrograph of transmission of poliovirus type 1.
Zoom in / Electron micrograph of transmission of poliovirus type 1.

New York health officials have again detected the polio virus in sewage from Rockland County, where it is located I had a case of paralyzing polio last summer.

Wastewater samples from Rockland F Several counties nearby He was positive for poliovirus for several months After the initial case was reported in July, indicating widespread spread of the virus in the region.

So far this year, only officials Poliovirus detected in one sample, which was collected from Rockland in February. Two samples from the county taken during the month of March were negative. Before revealing in February, Another positive sample From the area in mid-December in Orange County, north of Rockland. The last positive finding was in Rockland in October.

While the data does not indicate that the poliovirus is spreading widely again in the region, health officials are concerned that the virus could easily take off. Rockland has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the state; As of August, Only 60.34 percent of 2-year-olds in the county were aware of polio vaccinations. Some areas of the county have rates in the 50s.

Officials are concerned about the potential international spread of polio in Rockland’s large Jewish community during upcoming holiday travel.

“With increased travel expected between Rockland County and Israel during Passover, Rockland County is reminding families that there is a very real risk of crippling from poliovirus if they are not vaccinated,” Rockland County officials said in a news release.

The Israeli Ministry of Health recently reported Four cases of polio in children In the northern part of the country. One of the cases was paralyzed. The strain of poliovirus behind the paralysis in Rockland last summer has been linked to viruses circulating in London and Israel at the time.

In addition, Rockland officials have indicated that we’re heading into summer, when polio transmission historically peaks.

“Polio is preventable through the full series of vaccinations. We hope we will not see another case of crippling polio as we did last summer. I urge all those who are not or who are not sufficiently vaccinated to complete their series. This is important locally as That and so are travelers,” said Rockland Health Commissioner Patricia Schnabel-Robert.

Officials continue to push for vaccinations in parts of the county where anti-vaccine sentiment runs high. They’re giving out free polio boosters at mobile clinics, working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to review vaccination coverage in daycares and schools, and trying to improve vaccination messaging.

County Executive Ed Day said, “It is our duty to protect all of our residents from these debilitating and deadly diseases. The law requiring children to be vaccinated has been in place for many years for this very reason.” “I urge our residents to act now and protect yourselves, your family and your community.”

In addition to battling polio amid poor vaccination rates, Rockland also found herself battling measles. In 2019, the county faced a prolonged outbreak that resulted in emergency declaration.

[ad_2]

Source link

Related Posts

Precaliga