Samples of Rockland Wastewater Show Presence of Polio since Early Summer

by M. C. Millman 

Rockland County Health Commissioner reported the presence of polio in wastewater samples from early June after it was retested from Rockland County Sewer District #1 which serves the towns of Ramapo and Clarkstown and some parcels in Orangetown.

The wastewater samples from early June were re-tested after the first case of polio in the United States since 2013 was reported in Rockland County. 

According to health officials, the young adult who had paralysis and has since recovered from the virus was not vaccinated, nor had he traveled.

Orangetown's sewer district, the other plant in Rockland where wastewater is tested periodically, did not turn up a polio presence.

Photo: LSU