Orange County: Polio found in county’s wastewater

In a post on Facebook, officials say the state Health Department collected the samples in June and July at two different locations.

News 12 Staff

Aug 3, 2022, 4:44 PM

Updated 871 days ago

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The Orange County Department of Health says the polio virus has been identified in the county's wastewater.
In a post on Facebook, officials say the state Health Department collected the samples in June and July at two different locations.
The positive specimens were identified in processing facilities serving Middletown and Harriman.
Officials say there have been no confirmed cases of polio among residents, but it's clear with this discovery that the virus is circulating in Orange County. It comes after the nation's first case in nearly a decade was confirmed in Rockland County last month. That person was unvaccinated, and is now paralyzed.
People who are not vaccinated run the risk of infection.
The state Department of Health says the CDC is testing more samples now. According to the state health department, the environmental findings—which further indicate potential community spread—in addition case identified in Rockland County, underscore the urgency of every New York adult and child getting immunized against polio, especially those in the greater New York metropolitan area.
Officials urge residents to ask your health care provider if you are up to date on your polio vaccination.
As of Tuesday, nearly 1,000 people have gotten their shot in Rockland County.
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