Thursday 1st January 1970     Source:Ghana/ClassFMonline.com/91.3FM

The Ministry of Health (MoH) has said it has detected the outbreak of polio type 2 from an environmental sample within the Tamale metropolis.

A statement signed by the Chief Director of the MoH said measures have, however, been rolled out to ensure that the virus does not spread.

“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,” the statement said.

It said in response to this, the ministry, together with its partners have initiated the following actions that are ongoing: “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”, the ministry advised.

“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 humans.”