Why polio is spreading around the globe
Polio's presence has been confirmed in London, New York City, and Jeruselem for the first time in decades, sparking fears among citizens and spurring vaccine campaigns.
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Polio's presence has been confirmed in London, New York City, and Jeruselem for the first time in decades, sparking fears among citizens and spurring vaccine campaigns.
Britain is rolling out urgent polio vaccinations for all London-based children under 10 as a reemergence of the virus stoked fears of a wider outbreak.
No one studying polio knew more than Albert Sabin, the Polish-American scientist whose vaccine against the crippling disease has been used worldwide since 1959. Sabin’s oral vaccine provides lifelong immunity.
More than 21,100 cases have been confirmed in this year's outbreak, though fatal cases have remained rare.
The Rockland County case isn’t expected to cause a major outbreak, but it shows how even this rare disease can pop up in undervaccinated communities.