NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday issued an executive order declaring a state disaster emergency amid "evidence of circulating" polio, the state Department of Health said.
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The declaration comes as Nassau County became the latest county in the state to detect polio in its wastewater, following discoveries in Rockland County, Orange County, Sullivan County and New York City.
"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."
State health officials said Hochul's order immediately expands the network of polio vaccine administrators with the addition of EMS workers, midwives, and pharmacists and authorizes physicians and certified nurse practitioners to issue non-patient-specific standing orders for polio vaccines.
It also requires healthcare providers to send polio immunization data to the New York State Department of Health through the New York State Immunization Information System, enabling NYSDOH and local health departments to focus vaccination activities where they are needed most and giving them yet another data point to understand the level of protection against polio in communities.
It's just the latest revelation after an unvaccinated Rockland County man contracted polio in July and suffered paralysis.
The virus was then discovered in Rockland County wastewater samples amid routine testing for various viruses, including coronavirus. In August, it was found in the sewage of New York City, suggesting it had been circulating locally.
Despite the finding, County Executive Bruce Blakeman said Friday that there here is no polio case in Nassau.
"I don't want to alarm anybody, there are no cases of polio that has been discovered here in this region or in Nassau County," he said.
Bassett emphasized the significance of getting vaccinated right away.
"Do not wait to vaccinate," she added. "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."
Polio spreads mostly from person to person or through contaminated water. It can infect a person's spinal cord, causing paralysis and possibly permanent disability and death. The disease mostly affects children.
U.S. children are still routinely vaccinated against polio. Federal officials recommend four doses: to be given at 2 months of age; 4 months; at 6 to 18 months; and at age 4 through 6 years. Some states require only three doses.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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