The governor of New York has declared a state of emergency over the polio disease outbreak as evidence emerges that the polio virus is spreading rapidly across New York. The health officials of New York said the wastewater samples in New York City, along with four adjacent counties, have tested positive for a polio virus that can cause paralysis.
However, only one case of polio has so far been confirmed, and it was the first case in the United States in around a decade. Polio was largely eradicated from the United States by vaccination that started in 1955.
According to New York officials, polio vaccination rates are very low in parts of the state. The emergency declaration is aimed at boosting flagging rates of immunisation. There is no treatment for polio, but it can possibly be prevented by the polio vaccine, and it mostly affects children. Polio virus causes muscle weakness and paralysis, and in the most severe cases permanent disability and death.
Dr. Mary Bassett, health commissioner of New York, said on polio disease, they simply cannot launch the dice, and if the people and children are unvaccinated or not up to date with their polio vaccinations, there is a risk of paralytic disease.
