The once eradicated polio virus, otherwise known as poliomyelitis, has caused a state of emergency in the state of New York. Health officials have found the polio virus in several water samples taken from four adjacent counties in the state. Additionally, there is one confirmed case of polio in New York, the first in the country after a whole decade. This has health officials, policymakers, and citizens alike worried for several reasons. Firstly, the fact that a case of polio has been reported after a long period of time is concerning given the improvements in polio vaccines and vaccination rates. Secondly, the uncertainty of how to stop the spread of this virus and get people to practice safety measures is also crucial but troublesome.
Polio is a virus that dates back to 1580 BC. While it can infect anyone, polio primarily affects children and causes paralysis and weakness in the arms and legs. The virus can spread through fecal matter, close contact with those infected, and saliva. There are many strains of the polio virus, but through the development of vaccines, many of them, such as the three types of wild polioviruses (WVPs), have been eradicated. Prior to the development of vaccines during the 20th century, polio affected 1000 children every day worldwide. This pushed the need for a preventative vaccine to be made and distributed. Currently, children get four doses of the polio vaccine starting at two months of age. If they did not get vaccinated early, after the age of four, they are to get three doses of the vaccine.
While polio was largely eradicated from the US in 1955, occasional cases have occurred before. However, the severity of the situation in New York state should not be underestimated, despite there being only one case so far. Healthcare Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett stated for BBC News that “for every one case of paralytic polio observed, there may be hundreds of other people infected.” Polio is spread through close contact and through objects. Therefore, polio remnants being found in the waters of four counties puts a great deal of people at risk. The New York health department believes the solution is to ensure that people get vaccinated. Currently, state officials are working with people in the healthcare industry to raise the vaccination rate from 79% to 90% across the state.
With polio being such a feared and life-threatening disease, it is important to note its symptoms. Most people affected with the virus will not experience any symptoms but those that do may have a sore throat, fever, nausea, and/or stomach pain which usually shows up after three to six days of infection. Paralysis happens to 1 in 200 people infected but can be extremely deadly. It can leave people unable to move their body and in severe cases unable to move muscles needed to swallow or breathe, causing death.
The state of emergency declared in New York should not be taken lightly. There is only one case of polio in the state, but it is the first in over a decade in the country. Additionally, the contamination of the water system in four New York counties puts many people at risk of contracting the virus. The best possible preventative measure as of right now is to get vaccinated and practice healthy habits such as washing your hands frequently.
Be First to Comment