Poliovirus type 2 detected in environment in Koforidua — Health Ministry

Minister of Health Bernard Okoe-Boye

The Ministry of Health has announced the detection of circulating Vaccine Derived Poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) from an environmental sample collected in Koforidua, Eastern Region.

In a press release issued on Wednesday, September 18, Minister of Health Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye disclosed that routine surveillance activities by the Polio Laboratory of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research found the poliovirus in a sample collected on August 20 from the Koforidua area.

Confirmation of the virus as cVDPV2 was received on September 5.

The minister described this as constituting a "public health emergency."

In response, the ministry and Ghana Health Service have initiated field investigations to identify the possible infection source and assess the risk of further geographic spread, including to humans.

Surveillance has also been enhanced.
Key measures the public is advised to take include improved handwashing, use of toilets and burying of feces.

Parents are also encouraged to complete child vaccination schedules.

"We wish to assure the public that the Ministry of Health together with its partners is doing everything possible to prevent the further spread of the virus from the environient to humans," Dr. Okoe-Boye said in the statement.