Ghana Health Service issues polio alert

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has issued an alert over a rare type of polio, poliovirus type-2, which has been detected within the Tamale Metropolis in the Northern Region.

The health authorities observed the virus in a sewage drain in Tamale.

GHS explained in the alert that the virus which had been eradicated from humans, but has recently resurfaced and observed only in the Tamale area.

The virus, health authorities suspect might have been carried across through a migrant activity.

Though it is yet to be observed in humans, authorities are advocating strict adherence to personal hygiene.

Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Badu Sarkodie in an interview with Citi News said parents and caregivers of infants must ensure that children complete the instituted vaccination schedule to protect them.

Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Badu Sarkodie, said, the “indeed we are watching very closely. So as it is in the environment, there’s a potential that it may cross over to humans and that is when you need to move back and ensure that people are protected”.

A separate statement from the Ghana Health Service urged the various stakeholders to boost surveillance.

“The Ministry of Health/Ghana Health Service in collaboration with Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, through routine surveillance activities on Polio, have detected and confirmed Poliovirus type-2 from environmental sample at the Tamale Metropolis, Northern Region. This constitutes a public health emergency.”

“This correspondence is to inform and request all regions to enhance AFP surveillance and intensify laboratory investigations on suspected cases of poliomyelitis,” the statement added.

Below is the full statement:

Source: citinewsroom.com