Mary T. Bassett, New York Health Commissioner
Andy Katz | Pacific Press | light rocket | Getty Images
Polio has been detected in New York City, suggesting local circulation of the virus, health officials said Friday.
New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett called the findings alarming. Bassett said local and federal health officials are aggressively assessing how far polio has spread in New York City and state.
“For every case of paralytic polio identified, hundreds more may go undetected,” Bassett said. “The best way to keep adults and children polio-free is through safe and effective immunization.”
Polio can cause permanent paralysis of the arms and legs and, in some cases, death. Health authorities are asking people who are not vaccinated to leave immediately.
Routine vaccinations among children have declined in New York City since 2019, raising the risk of outbreaks, health officials say. About 14% of New York City children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years have not completed their polio vaccination series, meaning they are not fully protected against the virus.
Overall, 86 percent of children age 5 and younger in New York City are fully vaccinated against polio, according to health officials. But there are some neighborhoods in the city where less than 70% of children in this age group are up to date on their vaccinations, putting children in these communities at risk of contracting polio.
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