Ghana Health Service declares type 2 poliovirus outbreak over after successful response

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has announced the closure of the country’s type 2 poliovirus outbreak in August 2026, describing the development as a major step towards eliminating the disease.

In a statement released on Saturday, October 24, to mark World Polio Day 2026, the Service attributed the achievement to sustained vaccination campaigns, improved disease surveillance and coordinated efforts to contain the outbreak.

The GHS said the response was carried out in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Gavi, Rotary International and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The closure was confirmed through Outbreak Response Assessments (OBRA), placing Ghana among five countries that successfully closed their type 2 poliovirus outbreaks in August 2026. The others are Burundi, Guinea-Bissau, the Republic of Congo and Uganda.

“This milestone, confirmed through rigorous Outbreak Response Assessments (OBRA), demonstrates Ghana’s strong surveillance, immunisation, and rapid response systems,” the statement noted.

The Service said sustained investment in routine immunisation, supplementary vaccination exercises and community mobilisation had helped Ghana prevent the continued circulation of endemic poliovirus.

It added that since introducing the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) in 2018 and a second dose in 2024, the country had consistently recorded immunisation coverage exceeding 95 per cent.

Despite the progress, the GHS warned that continued vigilance would be necessary to prevent future outbreaks, stressing the need to maintain strong surveillance and high vaccination coverage.

“A polio case anywhere is a polio case everywhere,” the statement emphasised, highlighting the importance of continued cooperation with international health partners.

This year’s World Polio Day is being observed under the theme, “One Day, One Focus: Ending Polio for Good”, which calls attention to community participation and ensuring that every eligible child receives the required vaccines.

The Service reminded the public that polio can cause permanent paralysis but is preventable through vaccination. It urged parents and caregivers to ensure their children receive all recommended doses.

“Together, we can protect our children and secure a polio-free future for Ghana,” it stated.

The GHS, led by its Director-General, Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening surveillance and immunisation efforts to protect children and prevent the re-emergence of poliovirus.

Clarify the outbreak closure timelineTighten the repeated vaccination messaging