CDC Investigates Polio Case In Rockland County

by Rockland Daily Staff 

The first polio case identified in more than ten years may be the "tip of the iceberg," according to Dr. Mary T. Bassett, Health Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health, which has focused closely on Rockland County in the past few weeks.

The polio virus was initially detected in wastewater samples in Rockland County in early June. Following the initial identification, the New York State Department of Health announced that the virus was also seen in Orange County wastewater samples in June and July in two geographically different locations within the county. Polio was also detected in July samples from Rockland County.

"Based on earlier polio outbreaks, New Yorkers should know that for every one case of paralytic polio observed, there may be hundreds of other people infected," Bassett said. "Coupled with the latest wastewater findings, the department is treating the single case of polio as just the tip of the iceberg of much greater potential spread."

Bassett spoke after the polio case was identified, saying, "Based on what we know about this case, and polio in general, the Department of Health strongly recommends that unvaccinated individuals get vaccinated or boosted with the FDA-approved IPV polio vaccine as soon as possible."

"The polio vaccine is safe and effective, protecting against this potentially debilitating disease, and it has been part of the backbone of required, routine childhood immunizations recommended by health officials and public health agencies nationwide."