The polio virus was detected in wastewater in the Rockland, Orange, Sullivan and Nassau regions in the US state of New York.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that a state of emergency has been declared to increase the rate of polio vaccination, as the virus is likely to spread among the public.
State health officials stressed that unvaccinated people who work, attend school, or visit Orange, Rockland, Nassau, New York City and Sullivan are at increased risk of stroke.
DON’T RISK, GET VACCINE
New York Health Director Dr. Mary Bassett urged unvaccinated people to be vaccinated immediately. “I urge New Yorkers not to take risks. The polio vaccine is safe and effective,” Bassett said. According to the Department of Health, the vaccination rate was 60 percent in Rockland, 58 percent in Orange, 62 percent in Sullivan and 79 percent in Nassau, while the rate was about 79 percent statewide. (UAV)