The MoH says it has detected polio virus type 2 in the environment in Tamale in the Northern Region – According to the ministry, the virus was detected through a routine surveillance in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) – There are three wild types of poliovirus (WPV) – type 1, type 2, and type 3 The Ministry of Health has revealed that it has detected polio virus type 2 in the Tamale metropolis in the Northern region. This, the Ministry said, constitutes a public health emergency. A statement from the Health Ministry said they are doing everything possible to prevent the virus from spreading.
“The Ministry of Health/Ghana Health Service in collaboration of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) through routine surveillance activities on polio, has detected and confirmed polio virus type 2 from environmental samples in the Tamale metropolis, Northern Region.” The statement added that the Ministry is undertaking certain measures, including risk assessment, surveillance enactment, advocacy; and communication and social mobilization.??Read the full statement from the Health Ministry below: The Ministry of Health/Ghana Health Service in collaboration of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) through routine surveillance activities on polio, has detected and confirmed polio virus type 2 from environmental samples in the Tamale metropolis, Northern Region.?
This constitutes a public health emergency. Detailed field investigations to identify possible sources of infection and determine the extent of geographic spread.??Risk assessment and potential for further spread, including transmission to humans; surveillance enactment, advocacy; and communication and social mobilization.??As part of measures to prevent further spread and protect against spread to humans, the general public is encouraged to observe improved personal hygiene and good sanitation practices.??Wash your hands often with soap under safe running water after using the toilet facility before you prepare food, before eating or before feeding your baby and after playing; use toilet facilities or bury your feaces; do not defecate in the open, clean the toilet and surfaces contaminated with feaces with disinfectants. Parents/caregivers of infants are encouraged to complete the instituted vaccination schedule to protect their wards. READ ALSO: Bawumia exposes NDC hypocrisy on hardships in Ghana We wish to assure the general public that the ministry of health, together with its partners, is doing everything possible to prevent the further spread of the virus from the environment to human
