The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that polio viruses have been found in New York, both in a case of polio in an unvaccinated adult in Rockland County and in several wastewater samples from nearby communities. patient accommodation, meets the World Health Organization. (WHO) criteria for the circulation of the vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) – meaning that polio is still spreading in and around Rockland County, NY.
CDC works closely with the WHO, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and other collaborating health organizations.
As previously reported, viral genome sequences from patients from Rockland County, NY, and wastewater samples collected from New York were correlated with wastewater samples from Jerusalem, Israel, and London, UK, indicating community referrals. Viral samples from the patient and the three wastewater samples had sufficient genetic variation to meet the definition of vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV). These two items – one individual with VDPV and at least one detection of VDPV associated with an environmental sample – meet the WHO definition of cVDPV, and CDC has submitted this data to WHO for inclusion in the list of cVDPV countries. There are international recommendations for cVDPV2 outbreak countries to protect people from polio, and the United States is taking all appropriate measures to prevent new cases of polio.
The United States now joins the list of about 30 other countries where cVDPVs have been identified. Circulating poliovirus from the vaccine occurs when local immunity to the poliovirus is too low to allow long-term transmission of the weakened original virus in the oral poliovirus vaccine. As the virus circulates and more genetic changes occur, the virus can regain its ability to infect the central nervous system and cause paralysis. It is important to note that cVDPVs are not transmitted to children who receive the polio vaccine. The oral polio vaccine has not been used or licensed in the United States since 2000 but continues to be used in some countries.
“The polio vaccine is the safest and best way to fight this debilitating disease, and it is imperative that people living in these unvaccinated communities get vaccinated immediately,” said Dr. José R. Romero, CDC National Center Director. for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. “We cannot emphasize enough that typhoid is a dangerous disease for which there is no cure.”
It is important to note that no additional cases of influenza have been reported in the United States at this time, and this latest update does not affect the current CDC recommendations for influenza vaccination in children and adults.
CDC continues to support the New York State Department of Health’s investigation through routine testing of wastewater to understand the potential spread of the virus and through support of vaccination efforts in affected communities. Last week, the Governor of New York State issued an Executive Order declaring a State of Disaster Emergency. With no more cases of the virus, this move helps the region expand vaccination and protection efforts. Improving vaccine coverage is key to preventing additional cases of polio in the United States.
