The New York City Department of Health has begun testing sewers for polio and monkeypox in 11 hospitals in New York City.
This testing follows a preemptive measure to ensure public safety in city hospitals where many patients come and go amid concerns about the local spread of the polio virus after the recent detection of the polio virus in a New York City sewage sample.
“Sewage testing in New York City hospitals is the most proactive way to get information about what’s going to happen in the future,” said Joseph Maschi, president of New York City HealthPlus Hospitals.
In collaboration with CUNY researchers, sewage and wastewater samples are collected and tested from hospital sewers and manholes. Infection with the polio virus can cause permanent paralysis of arms and legs, and in severe cases, muscle paralysis and even death.
Both polio and monkeypox are highly contagious viruses which have seen an increase in cases this year. Following the Covid-19 outbreak in 2019 which saw widespread infection and deaths, authorities are seeking to do all that they can to protect the community from polio and monkeypox infection.