Polio on the rise: pathogens in New York's sewage - what is known about the virus

Created: 09/19/2022, 16:33

By: Victoria Krumbeck

Polio has long been considered eradicated in New York.

The case of catastrophe applies, since more viruses were found in the wastewater.

New York/Munich - Polio, also known as polio, has long been considered eradicated in the United States.

But in July, the US state of New York reported a new infection.

Poliovirus has now been found in sewage in several counties.

Governor Kathy Hochul therefore declared a state of emergency on Friday (September 9).

Residents are advised to check their vaccination status and get vaccinated if necessary.

The disease can cause paralysis and death - small children in particular can suffer permanent paralysis.

New York declares polio outbreak disaster

The first polio case in nine years was reported in Rockland County, 30 miles north of Manhattan, in July.

The virus was detected in a 33-year-old person from Pomona.

The person had not been vaccinated against polio as a child.

According to the CDC, the vaccination rate for two-year-old children in the United States is 92 percent.

In the state of New York, however, this is significantly lower.

Only 79 percent of two-year-old children are vaccinated;

in Rockland it is just 60 percent.

An illustration of the polio viruses.

© Kateryna_Kon/IMAGO

The New York health authority called on all people who have not yet been vaccinated to do so as soon as possible.

New York's health officer Mary Bassett also appealed in a statement to parents to vaccinate their children quickly: "If your child is not vaccinated or the vaccination status is not up to date, then the risk of a debilitating disease is real."

Polio infections: risk of infection through contaminated wastewater

In mid-August, polioviruses were found in sewage in New York.

Since then, wastewater surveys in Rockland, Orange, Sullivan, New York City and most recently Nassau counties have shown traces of poliovirus.

The emergency was declared on Friday (September 9th).

Other people can become infected through the contaminated wastewater.

also read

Amusement park trip over 1000 euros: family presents bill – comparisons make dimensions clear

Numerous UFO sightings over Ukraine - astronomers are puzzled

Further infections with polio were initially not announced by official authorities.

However, the results of the wastewater analysis are worrying.

With the disaster, for example, the network of providers who are allowed to administer a polio vaccination was expanded as an immediate measure - to emergency responders, midwives and pharmacists.

Investigations show: Polioviruses found in New York sewage

As the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) informs, the polio virus is a smear infection.

In most cases, it is passed through the stool and can be passed through touch.

If someone does not wash their hands or does not wash them thoroughly enough after using the toilet, possible viruses can be spread from the hands.

The highly contagious virus is often spread through contaminated water.

Droplet infection is also possible.

The viruses get into the air when you cough or sneeze and can be inhaled by other people.

Even without symptoms, those infected are contagious.

The majority of infections - about 90 percent - have mild or only mild symptoms.

Those affected may suffer from diarrhea, vomiting and fever.

In severe cases, however, the nervous system can also be affected.

Meningitis or paralysis can occur.

The incubation period is usually around seven to ten days, but can last up to 35 days in exceptional cases.

So far there is no cure for polio, the virus has been defeated with nationwide vaccinations.

Polio virus in New York and London - polio is said to be almost eradicated

Wild poliovirus (WPV) type 2 was declared eradicated in 2015 - WPV type 3 followed in 2019. This means that only UPU type 1 is still circulating. Five out of six WHO regions are considered polio-free.

The Middle East is the last region not to have achieved this status.

Still, isolated outbreaks do occur from time to time, as illustrated by the case in upstate New York.

In London, too, sewage tests showed traces of polio viruses.