The Ministry of Health has confirmed the detection of circulating Vaccine Derived Poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in an environmental sample from the Koforidua surveillance site in the Eastern Region of Ghana.
The sample, collected on August 20, 2024, was analyzed by the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) and confirmed positive for the virus on September 5, 2024, constituting a public health emergency.
The Ministry, through the Ghana Health Service and in collaboration with partners, has initiated several measures to contain the spread of the virus. These include detailed investigations to determine the source of infection, geographic spread analysis, and a risk assessment to prevent further transmission to humans. Surveillance efforts are also being enhanced alongside advocacy and social mobilization to raise public awareness.
In a press release signed by the Minister of Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, the Ministry emphasized the importance of personal hygiene and sanitation to prevent further spread. Recommendations include regular hand washing with soap, proper use of toilet facilities, and ensuring cleanliness of surfaces contaminated with feces. Parents and caregivers are urged to complete the vaccination schedules for their children to ensure protection against polio.
The Ministry assured the public that every effort is being made to prevent the spread of the virus from the environment to humans. The situation remains under close monitoring as preventive measures continue.
