New York authorities are aiming to boost vaccine availability and distribution after Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency following the discovery of traces of the poliovirus in wastewater in Nassau County, Long Island, indicating community spread.
The declaration will allow more types of providers to administer the polio vaccine, such as pharmacists, in effect, making the treatment easier to access. However, the discovery of the virus in wastewater does not mean that there is an outbreak. Furthermore, New York authorities aim for a vaccination rate of 90% in order to protect the community from the spread of the virus, as per Yahoo News.
In Orange and Rockland counties, there are many Hasidic Jewish residents who are reluctant to take the vaccine. This, alongside a variety of other factors, have stifled authorities' attempts to increase the vaccination rate in the region.
The situation with polio also comes as schools have started their first week, accepting students for in-person classes. Many parents remain concerned that the new virus poses a greater threat when mixed with the potential of infection from the monkeypox virus, which has spread like wildfire across the United States, the New York Times reported.
Spread of the Polio Virus
The discovery of the virus in wastewater means that if there is an outbreak, the vaccine would be able to prevent any spread to protect the people within the region. The poliovirus was previously detected in wastewater collected in samples in Rockland, Orange, and Sullivan counties and in New York City.
The strains that officials found in the wastewater in the previous three counties and New York City were all genetically linked to the state's sole identified polio case, a resident from Rockland County.
During a Friday press conference, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman emphasized that there is no polio case in the county. He said, "I don't want to alarm anybody, there are no cases of polio that have been discovered here in this region or in Nassau County," as per ABC7 New York.
The polio strands discovered were detected during routine wastewater testing for various viruses, including coronavirus. The tests were made routine two years ago because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Blakeman added that the tests have been key because they have allowed officials to make determinations as to whether there is a spiking before people actually get the symptoms and report it to their doctors. The tests save authorities days in which they can prepare for the incoming number of cases.
According to NBC New York, Hochul's emergency order also requires healthcare providers to pass along immunization data to help the health department's oversight of the situation. On Friday, State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said, "On polio, we simply cannot roll the dice. If you or your child are unvaccinated or not up to date with vaccinations, the risk of paralytic disease is real."
Vaccination for the Disease
The Nassau County executive planned to hold a briefing on Friday afternoon after the recent testing of wastewater. So far, the state has only one confirmed case of a paralyzing polio infection, which was a resident from Rockland County.
In a statement, Bassett noted that the polio virus in New York today is an "imminent threat" to all adults and children who remain unvaccinated or not up to date with their polio immunizations. Officials added that unvaccinated people who live, work, go to school or visit Orange, Rockland, Nassau, New York City, and Sullivan are at the highest risk of paralytic disease.
While Bassett urged people to get vaccinations against the poliovirus as soon as they can, individuals who are unsure of their vaccination status should contact a healthcare provider, clinic, or the county health department to make sure they are up to date on their shots.
The situation comes as the polio vaccination rates in some New York counties are alarmingly low. In Rockland, it is 60%, in Orange, it is 58%, in Sullivan, it is 62%, and in Nassau, it is 79%, based on data from the health department. The statewide average for polio immunization is roughly 79%, CNBC reported.
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