Polio is a viral disease that can affect the nervous system and cause muscle weakness,
NYSDOH said. It enters the mouth from contamination with fecal matter of someone who is already infected. It can also be transmitted through saliva.
Polio is very contagious, and a person can spread the virus even if they aren't sick. Symptoms, which can be mild and flu-like (fatigue, fever, headache, stiffness, muscle pain, vomiting), can take up to 30 days to appear, during which time an infected individual can be shedding virus to others.