New York in the United States declared a
state of emergency after traces of the polio virus were found in wastewater in
Nassau County on Long Island. The declaration of emergency is meant to boost
vaccination rates after the administration found evidence of rising virus
spread. New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed the emergency-declaring executive
order Friday.

Hochul’s executive order expands the network
of vaccine administrators to include emergency medical workers, midwives and
pharmacists. Additionally, doctors and certified nurses will now be able to
issue non-patient specific standing orders for the polio vaccine, according to
a statement issued by the New York Health Department.

Also Read | How is the polio virus transmitted?

New York Health Commissioner Mary Bassett
said, “On polio, we simply cannot roll the dice. If you or your child are
unvaccinated or not up to date with vaccination, the risk of paralytic disease
is real. I urge New Yorkers to not accept any risk at all.”  

According to currently standing orders, New
York residents who have completed their polio vaccine series need to now
receive a lifetime booster if it is found that they have come in close contact
with a person suspected to be infected by the virus.

The health department has also recommended
vaccination for healthcare workers in Rockland Country, Orange County, Sullivan
County, Nassau County and New York City. People with occupational exposure to wastewater
“can consider a booster,” the recommendation stated

Official numbers indicate that nearly 79% of residents
of New York state have already received vaccination. However, vaccination
numbers are low in Rockland, Orange and Sullivan Counties.

There has been only one confirmed case of polio
in New York recently. The one infected is an adult and was unvaccinated. Their
identity has not been revealed. Health officials, however, say most people
infected with the virus may not display any symptoms but may give the virus to
others. It is possible that hundreds of people in the state have polio but don’t
know.