New York officials find polio virus in wastewater in Rockland County

Officials announced this week they had found the presence of the polio virus in the wastewater in Rockland County, New York. 

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) discovered the virus in samples collected from the wastewater in Rockland County, not far from New York City.

The samples were collected in early June. According to the CDC, is it unclear whether the presence of the virus came from the one confirmed case of polio in the United States in over a decade, which occurred in June in Rockland County. No new cases of polio have been reported.

State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett reminded New Yorkers of the importance of vaccines against viruses like polio. “Polio is a dangerous disease with potentially devastating consequences,” she said. “In the United States, we are so fortunate to have available the crucial protection offered through polio vaccination, which has safeguarded our country and New Yorkers for over 60 years. Given how quickly polio can spread, now is the time for every adult, parent, and guardian to get themselves and their children vaccinated as soon as possible.”

The Global Polio Laboratory Network (GPLN) reported the presence of the polio virus in wastewater samples collected in the greater Jerusalem area, as well as in London, United Kingdom.

The CDC reminded residents, “it’s important to note that we don’t have enough information at this time to determine if the virus is actively spreading in New York or elsewhere in the U.S., and no additional cases have been identified.”

The sample shows the presence of polio in the Rockland wastewater a month before officials announced they had confirmed the polio case in late July.