The Ministry of Health has declared a public health emergency following the detection of a Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in an environmental sample from Koforidua in the Eastern Region.
The virus, which was found during routine surveillance in the Nsukwao River by the Polio Laboratory at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, poses a significant threat, particularly to children under five, as it can cause paralysis and even death.
The isolation of the virus was confirmed on September 5, 2024, after an initial suspicion on September 3.
Speaking on ABC in the Morning, Dr. Nelly Adade, a paediatrician, warned that the mutated cVDPV2 can be just as deadly as the wild poliovirus. “It’s very rare, but when the oral polio vaccine enters the intestine, it can mutate, changing its form and character,” she explained.
Dr. Adade noted that this mutation can cause the very paralysis the vaccine is designed to prevent, especially in communities with low immunity.
Highlighting the severity of the situation, Dr. Adade emphasized that children under five are particularly vulnerable to the effects of cVDPV2.
“Usually, it causes spinal damage or death, more especially in children under five,” she stated. She urged the public to adhere to vaccination schedules to build immunity against polio and stressed the importance of maintaining good hygiene and sanitation practices.
“Polio is transmitted from person to person via the fecal-oral route. That’s why hygiene and handwashing are critical to preventing its spread,” she added.
The Ministry of Health has called on the public to take preventive measures to avoid further spread of the virus.
They have urged individuals to observe personal hygiene, such as washing hands with soap under running water after using the toilet and before eating or feeding a baby.
Dr. Adade further advised mothers to take vaccination serious as they protect children.
“If a lot of children are expose and are not immunized, then their immune systems become vulnerable to pick up lots of infections and mar their future.”
