The Ashanti Region has recorded eight polio cases in six districts, more than any region in the country since the beginning of this year.
The cases, all vaccine-derived polio virus Type Two represent more than 80 per cent of 12 cases recorded nationwide.
Though health authorities will not give details of affected districts, they say the situation calls for public support as it rolls out an ambiguous three-day immunisation programme targeting about 1.2 million children under five-years.
"The Ashanti Region recently recorded in six districts in what we call vaccine-derived poliovirus Type Two. And in accordance with established protocol, the region, together with other regions in the country would be embarking on massive polio immunization exercise," Deputy Regional Health Director in charge of Public Health, Dr Yaw Ofori Yeboah told the media in Kumasi.
The situation has prompted health authorities to roll out a three-day immunisation programme across the Region from September 10 to 13..
Deputy Regional Health Director in charge of Public Health, Dr. Yaw Ofori Yeboah asked parents to avail their children under 5-years for administration of safe vaccine in all 43-districts of the Ashanti region.
"The focus would be for children under the age of five-years. In Ashanti region, we would be targeting 1,184,860 children aged below five-years."
The affected districts are said to be areas noted for low immunization and insanitary conditions.
Dr. Ofori Yeboah admits the advent of Covid-19 which has affected routine health services in the region could be blamed for the situation.
He want all hands on deck to kick start the immunization exercise.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation says some polioviruses have been discovered in Greater Accra and Eastern region.
Immunization Officer, Fred Osei Sarpong revealed poliovirus were found in environmental sewage in those areas and speak of investigations into the virus.
"What we are also doing is aside from the fact that the virus can infect an individual and get that individual paralyzed; the virus is usually in the environment so, in order to satisfy ourselves that we don't have the virus with us, we do pick samples from environmental sewage, send to the lab and then we test."
Latest Stories
-
Don’t make sex videos if you want leadership position – Young ladies cautioned
57 seconds -
Ghana needs Presbyterian principles of hard work, humility to move forward – Akufo-Addo
2 minutes -
Stonebwoy puts on massive show as Davido, Spice spice-up Bhim festival
4 minutes -
Ghanaian voter is becoming more sophisticated – Old Tafo MP
7 minutes -
CILT Ghana congratulates President-elect Mahama
9 minutes -
MFWA trains 30 trained investigative journalists
10 minutes -
Marketing officer on bail over GH¢177K theft
12 minutes -
Justin Baldoni women’s solidarity award rescinded amid allegations
13 minutes -
Kremlin denies reports Assad’s wife has filed for divorce
18 minutes -
Man jailed 19 years for sodomising 11-year-old boy
20 minutes -
Matt Gaetz paid ‘tens of thousands’ for sex and drugs, ethics report says
26 minutes -
Ghana’s fire outbreak statistics rage in 2024
30 minutes -
Ghana’s biggest Navy ship commissioned at Sekondi Naval Base
32 minutes -
Ken Ashigbey, Joyce Aryee and others grace MTN’s Festival of 9 Lessons and Carols
8 hours -
Obuasi Cricket Academy celebrates excellence at end-of-year awards night
9 hours