US (Washington Insider Magazine)-You’ve likely seen the headlines around the 2022 polio outbreaks in the United States, which have left many wondering: How has a nearly-eradicated disease returned to one of the most developed countries in the world?
Despite its advancements, the United States has a growing population of anti-vaxxers, who many in American society are blaming for this recent outbreak and mutation.
However, the problem may run deeper than a simple lack of vaccination.
In fact, vaccination may very well be the source of the problem.
There are multiple different forms of the vaccine – one used domestically and others used internationally. The genotype of the polio virus found in New York’s waste system matches the mutated version used in overseas vaccination – meaning the virus came in from abroad. This comes as no surprise, as New York is one of the most tourist-traveled state in America.
Are vaccinations harmful?
Despite the vaccine being a source of the resurgence of polio in the U.S., vaccinations are not deemed dangerous at this time. The vaccine itself uses a weakened, non-harmful version of the virus, protecting the host while minimizing the risks you’d see with a live infection.
The concerns are when this weak virus encounters mutations, which can cause it to be far more virulent like its live counterpart – wreaking havoc on the nervous and musculoskeletal systems of the body.
There is even more cause for concern with the prevalence of anti-vaccination beliefs, fueled by the mistrust in the most recent iterations of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The United States is not the only country to see a renewed wave of polio hit the masses. The UK also saw some recent infections, and other areas of the world noticed higher levels of outbreak.
We will continue to monitor the state of the 2022 polio outbreaks.
