newYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The New York State Health Commissioner said Thursday that the state is dealing with a single case of polio, the first patient known to have contracted the virus in the United States in about a decade, and the “iceberg.” It is treated as “one corner”.
“Based on previous polio outbreaks, New Yorkers should know that for each observed case of paralytic polio, hundreds of people may be infected,” said the state health commissioner. said in a statement, Dr. Mary T. Bassett of
“Combined with the latest wastewater findings, the Department is treating the single case of polio as just the tip of the iceberg with the potential for much greater spread. It is clear: the danger of polio exists in new areas, and by ensuring that adults, including those who are pregnant, and infants up to two months old have access to the latest immunizations, we can help in this moment. You must stand up.
The State Department said the virus was also detected in wastewater samples from Orange and Rockland counties after polio was confirmed in Rockland county.
Dangerous virus ‘community spread’ likely raises fears of polio in New York
Officials have found seven positive samples from Rockland and Orange counties that are genetically related to previously identified individual cases of paralytic polio.
“These findings provide further evidence that the poliovirus can be locally transmitted, paralyzed, and community-wide, rather than internationally, and can affect all adults and children in New York. , underscores the urgency of getting people vaccinated, especially in metropolitan areas,” the department wrote.
Investigations into the origin of the virus are ongoing.
New York County officials urge residents to vaccinate after first polio outbreak in years
All unvaccinated New Yorkers should be vaccinated immediately. Residents of these counties and the New York metropolitan area are at the highest risk of exposure.
There is no cure for polio, but it can be prevented with vaccination.
Polio is highly contagious and you can pass the virus without being sick.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
It can take up to 30 days for symptoms to appear and can lead to paralysis and death.