Accra:Ghana has officially closed its type 2 poliovirus outbreak following sustained immunisation, disease surveillance, and community mobilisation efforts.
According to Ghana News Agency, the outbreak was officially closed in August 2026 after Outbreak Response Assessments (OBRA), as stated by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in a statement commemorating this year's World Polio Day.
The achievement was made in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and international partners, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF, GAVI, Rotary International, and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Ghana joins Burundi, Guinea-Bissau, the Republic of Congo, and Uganda in closing their type 2 poliovirus outbreaks in August 2026.
The GHS indicated that the success reflects sustained investment in routine immunisation, supplementary vaccination campaigns, outbreak response, and community engagement. Immunisation coverage remained above 95 percent following the introduction of the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) in 2018 and the addition of a second dose in 2024. These interventions have strengthened protection for children against polioviruses, which can cause paralysis and, in severe cases, death.
The Service emphasized the need to sustain the gains through active surveillance, continued vaccination, and collaboration with communities and international health partners. It warned that poliovirus transmission in any country poses a risk to others until global eradication is achieved.
World Polio Day, observed annually, raises awareness about the disease and mobilizes support for global eradication efforts. This year's celebration, themed 'One Day, One Focus Ending Polio for Good,' highlights community participation and ensures that every eligible child receives the recommended polio vaccines.
The GHS described polio as a preventable but potentially deadly disease that could cause lifelong paralysis, urging parents and caregivers to ensure their children receive all recommended doses of the vaccine. It also called on the public to support immunisation activities to protect children against the disease.
The Ministry of Health and GHS reaffirmed their commitment to a polio-free Ghana and a healthier future for all children, urging unity to end polio for good.