Poliovirus detected in New York State

Local pediatricians are responding to Governor Hochul’s decision to declare a state of emergency in response to the recent detection of polio in four New York counties and in New York City.

The virus has been detected in sewage samples taken from Rockland, Orange, Sullivan and now Nassau counties.

Albany County pediatrician Dr. James Saperstone says most people get a four injection polio vaccine by the age of five that creates immunity from the virus.
He says that all changed during the pandemic when many children, and adults, were not going to the doctor for annual check-ups.
He believes many people missed getting some or all of their polio injections.

Dr. Saperstone says that polio is rare and tells news channel 13 he doesn’t believe there will be another polio epidemic.

However he says it’s not a disease to disregard.