Health Officials Announce Wastewater Monitoring as Polio Detected in New York City
City and State health officials updated New Yorkers on the detection of polio in the City’s sewage system on Friday, Aug. 12, suggesting a likely local circulation of the virus in New York City. Polio can lead to permanent paralysis of the arms and legs and even death in some cases. State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said for every one case of paralytic polio identified, hundreds more may be undetected. “The detection of poliovirus in wastewater samples in New York City is alarming, but not surprising,” Bassett said. “Already, the State Health Department, working with local
