Polio in NYC Wastewater Should Be a Reminder: ‘Eradicated’ May Not Mean What It Used To

JUCM News told you recently about a confirmed case of polio in Rockland County, New York. Given that it’s a suburban/rural area roughly an hour from New York City, it’s causing some alarm that just days ago the virus was identified in wastewater samples in the Big Apple. According to a story published by The New York Times, only around 86% of children 5 years of age and younger are fully vaccinated against polio; less than two thirds have received at least three doses. As such, the state department of health is urging parents to consider whether their children have been vaccinated completely, and to get them up to date immediately if necessary. It’s safe to assume that the same shortfalls could exist with other viral diseases thought to be a non threat due to decades of low or nonexistent activity. JUCM published an article that could help you consider whether your urgent care center is ready to handle cases of illness you may have never seen in practice. Unexpected Viral Illness in an Urgent Care Setting: The Re-Emergence of Mumps, Measles, and Varicella is available in our archive right now.