Naturally, these events raised many questions. Why is his one case of polio worrying authorities?What does it mean to have poliovirus detected in wastewater?Who should be worried about getting sick?Someone for how many years If they were vaccinated long ago, are they still protected?
CNN: So far, only one case of poliovirus paralysis has been documented in New York. Why does one case worry health officials?
CNN: What does it mean that poliovirus was detected in wastewater from five counties, including New York City?
Wen: The detection of poliovirus in sewage could mean that there are people who are actively infected with polio and are shedding the virus, or that viral signals are from people who have recently received the oral polio vaccine (OPV). means either that it may be of In the US he is no longer administered OPV. Since 2000, the version in use in the United States is the injectable inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). We are shedding the virus from the vaccine.
Rarely, attenuated virus from people who have recently had OPV can cause paralytic polio in unvaccinated people. This is the main reason her OPV is out of service in the US.
CNN: How do people get polio?
CNN: Should New Yorkers worry about contracting polio?
Wen: Again, people who have been vaccinated against polio are very well protected against paralytic polio and need not worry at this time. It is very good at preventing the effects, but it should be pointed out that vaccinated people are still carriers of polio and can infect others. Those at risk for serious consequences are those who have not been vaccinated and those who are incompletely vaccinated, including young children under the age of six who have not yet completed the polio vaccine series.
CNN: How many doses of polio vaccine should I receive?
Adults who have never been vaccinated against polio should receive three doses of IPV. The first should be given as soon as possible, the second should be given 1-2 months after her, and the third should be given 6-12 months after her second dose.
CNN: If someone got the vaccine years ago, are they still protected? Who should get a polio booster now?
CNN: What if you don’t know if you’ve been vaccinated? Suppose you don’t remember having a vaccine and it’s been years. Is there a blood test that can confirm either?
Wen: You can check with your doctor’s office or state health department to see if you have a record of your immunizations. If not, for example if you have no other way to check with your parents or other relatives or caregivers, you should talk to your health care provider about getting the full polio vaccine series now. There is no blood test that can reliably detect if you are fully vaccinated.
CNN: What if you or your family have not yet been vaccinated against poliovirus?
Wen: People who have not yet been vaccinated or whose vaccination is incomplete should receive the full polio vaccine series immediately. This is especially important if you live in or around Rockland County, New York, but practically everyone needs to keep up with regular vaccinations.
Decades ago, it was a tragedy that so many children were permanently paralyzed and died of polio. should never happen again.
