Upstate case underscores need to get polio vaccine, state officials say

New York State officials Monday confirmed a polio case in Rockland County and urged Long Islanders and others statewide to get vaccinated against the potentially debilitating disease. Credit: TNS/Dreamstime
New York State health officials have confirmed a case of polio in Rockland County and urged people on Long Island and statewide Monday, especially children, to get vaccinated against the potentially devastating disease.
In a statement Monday, the state Department of Health said it detected the case in June.
Polio can cause paralysis or death, and there is no cure. Before a vaccine was developed in 1955 by Dr. Jonas Salk, thousands of people were stricken by the highly contagious virus each year, including President Franklin Roosevelt, who used a wheelchair.
The virus was eradicated by the 1960s.
“Polio is a dangerous disease with potentially devastating consequences,” state Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said in a statement. “In the United States, we are so fortunate to have available the crucial protection offered through polio vaccination, which has safeguarded our country and New Yorkers for over 60 years."
Considering how quickly polio can spread, Bassett said, "now is the time for every adult, parent, and guardian to get themselves and their children vaccinated as soon as possible.”
Officials said they are not entirely sure how or where the person in Rockland County contracted polio. Wastewater samples taken in Rockland matched some of those retrieved from Jerusalem. They noted that does not necessarily mean the infected person had traveled to Israel.
On Long Island, substantial numbers of young children are not fully vaccinated against polio, according to state data.
In Nassau County, 79.36% of 2-year-olds were fully vaccinated against polio as of July 1. In Suffolk County, the figure was 79.27%.
“Any diagnosis of a disease that is not commonly seen, especially one that has been nearly eradicated in the U.S. like polio is very concerning," said Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman in a statement. "Fortunately, we have not had a case in the county in over 20 years. In response to the diagnosis of this case in Rockland County, the Nassau County Department of Health has sent an alert to all health care providers in the county to again raise awareness of symptoms, diagnosis, prevention and vaccine recommendations for polio.”
Children need three shots administered over a monthslong time span to be fully vaccinated against the polio virus.
In Suffolk, Dr. Gregson Pigott, the county health commissioner, said in a statement: “Polio is a preventable disease and I encourage all residents to ensure they and their loved ones are up to date on their vaccines. The Health Department offers the polio vaccine at our regularly scheduled IAP clinics.”
State health officials said unvaccinated New Yorkers who live, work, go to school in, or visit Rockland County, are at the highest risk of exposure.
Rockland has a polio vaccination rate of 60.5% among 2-year-olds compared to the statewide average of 79.1%. The statewide rate does not include New York City.
Polio is spread from person to person, state health officials said, and an individual can transmit the virus even if they don't feel sick.
Symptoms can be mild and flu-like, and take up to 30 days to appear, they said. During that time, the infected person could be shedding the virus to others.

Things to do now on LI Rock climbing? Indoor beach volleyball? Water parks? Arts and crafts? NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday deputy lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your look at ways to spend your winter break.

Things to do now on LI Rock climbing? Indoor beach volleyball? Water parks? Arts and crafts? NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday deputy lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your look at ways to spend your winter break.