Health authorities have conducted investigations revealing that the polio cases found in the Eastern Region are linked to a strain currently present in Algeria.
While the origin of the virus remains unidentified, officials are preparing to launch a nationwide mass vaccination campaign, intending to coordinate these efforts with neighbouring countries.
In response to the discovery of a circulating Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus in a river in Koforidua on September 19, the Ministry of Health declared a public health emergency.
This declaration has prompted enhanced surveillance measures to track the source of the virus.
The vaccination initiative aims to immunise approximately 5.5 million children under five years old over the next three weeks.
This effort will be conducted in two phases, with the second phase planned to occur simultaneously with neighboring countries to ensure a synchronised response as the virus seems to be spreading within the sub-region.
Dr. Kwame Amponsa-Achiano, Programme Manager for the Expanded Programme on Immunisation, stated in an interview with 3News that despite the unknown source of the virus, measures are being intensified to address the situation as an outbreak.
“…We are planning to do that in October, towards the middle part of October, maybe the third.
We usually do it for four days. So somewhere around 17th or a week after we do the first round, it’s usually a minimum of two rounds of campaign, and then we’ll do the second one in November.
And we are likely to synchronise with some countries in the subregion, because, as I told you, this has taken on an international dimension because of the linking to Algeria, the Nigerian stream.”
He further noted that processes have already been activated for vaccines from development partners.
“This one is linked to Algeria. I mean, it’s even crossed international borders already, and therefore it cannot be a subnational campaign but a subregional campaign, meaning Ghana plus other countries.