Polio Detected In Nassau County Wastewater

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — A sample of wastewater from Nassau County tested positive for polio, prompting fears among health officials that the virus could be spreading on Long Island.

Earlier this year, a case of paralytic polio was confirmed in an unvaccinated young man from Rockland County. It was the first case in the United States in more than a decade, and the first in New York since 1990. Since then, polio has been found in wastewater in Rockland County, Sullivan County, Orange County, and now Nassau. The samples of polio found are genetically linked to the Rockland County case, state health officials said.

State health officials say the the findings mean that the man who was infected in Rockland County contracted the virus locally, not through travelling abroad. That means polio could be circulating in New York communities.

"On polio, we simply cannot roll the dice," State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said. "If you or your child are unvaccinated or not up to date with vaccinations, the risk of paralytic disease is real. I urge New Yorkers to not accept any risk at all. Polio immunization is safe and effective — protecting nearly all people against disease who receive the recommended doses. Do not wait to vaccinate. If you are unsure of you or your families' vaccination status, contact a healthcare provider, clinic or local county health department to make sure you and your loved ones receive all recommended doses."

According to News 12, the contaminated water in Nassau was found in the Manhasset, Port Washington, Glenwood Landing and Roslyn areas. There are currently not confirmed active cases of polio in the county. The water sample was taken in August.

After the announcement of the detection of the virus in Nassau's wastewater, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order declaring a disaster in the state. This allows the state government to offer more aid to local municipalities to combat the spread of the virus. The declaration will also allow pharmacists, EMTs and other health professionals to administer polio vaccinations.

According to the World Health Organization, most people who contract polio will experience mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, though they can be carriers of the virus. Mild symptoms of polio include fatigue, fever, headache, stiffness, muscle or stomach pain, nausea/vomiting or a sore throat. However, a small percentage of people can develop meningitis (an infection of the covering of the spinal cord and/or brain) and paralysis in the legs, arms or both. Polio can also be fatal.

It is also possible that children who completely recover can develop new muscle pain, weakness or paralysis as adults 15 to 40 years later. This is called post-polio syndrome. There is no cure for polio.

Data from the state shows that 79 percent of Nassau's eligible population — that is, children under 2 — have received the full course of three polio vaccinations. The polio vaccination used in New York is safe and 99 percent effective.

The state said that anyone who completed their polio vaccination course has ample protection. However, those who face higher exposure rates may want to get a booster shot. That includes people living with and caring for someone with the disease, healthcare workers who may be exposed to it, and even those whose job exposes them to wastewater in areas where the virus has been detected.

Polio was declared eliminated in the United States in 1979 following a massive, nationwide vaccination effort. But vaccination rates have declined in recent years, and the virus is popping up again.