In the wake of a polio outbreak in New York, wastewater samples have been tested for poliovirus on this side of the Hudson. The CDC’s National Wastewater Surveillance System recently checked for poliovirus signals in 32 wastewater samples taken from May through August at sites in Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Passaic and Union counties — and reports that all tested negative. Samples from Bergen County taken separately since last March also tested negative.
Even though New Jersey boasts a robust childhood polio vaccination rate, public health experts advise pushing immunizations even more. “This isn’t about scaring people. This is about making people aware of the situation so they can respond appropriately,” said epidemiologist Stephanie Silvera of Montclair State University.
