By Alhaji Haruna Sani
Sierra Leone has confirmed its first case of Mpox, since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the disease a Public Health Emergency of international concern in August 2024, sparking nationwide concern.
The National Public Health Agency (NPHA) and the Ministry of Health (MoH) announced on January 10, 2025, that a 27-year-old man from the Western Area Rural District tested positive for Mpox following analysis at the 34 Military Hospital Infectious Disease Laboratory.
The confirmation comes months after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in August 2024. This development has put the country on high alert as health officials’ work to prevent an outbreak.
Fears has heightened due to the disease’s resemblance to the deadly Ebola virus that ravaged the nation, many citizens are likely to meet this news with concern. But here are key things to know.
What is Mpox? Symptoms and risks
Mpox, also known as Monkeypox, is a viral disease transmitted from animals to humans and through close human-to-human contact. It is characterized by fever, skin rashes, swollen lymph nodes, and other flu-like symptoms. Although less severe than Ebola, the disease evokes memories of the devastating Ebola outbreak that claimed thousands of lives in Sierra Leone.
Mpox can spread through direct contact with body fluids, respiratory droplets, or contaminated materials such as bedding. The virus has also been linked to handling wild animals.
What WHO had earlier said about the disease?.
According to WHO, between 0.1 percent and 10 percent of people with Mpox have died. As of August last year, there were 14,000 reported cases of the virus with 524 deaths, an increase in reported cases from 2023.
Swift action to contain spread
Health authorities have activated the National Incident Command System to tackle the crisis, outlining critical measures to prevent further transmission. Those measures include, isolating the patient and providing medical care in a controlled environment.
Solutions and Prevention
To stop the spread of Mpox, health authorities recommend conducting contact tracing to monitor individuals who may have been exposed, with follow-ups for 21 days, increasing surveillance efforts in key areas, including locations recently visited by the patient, such as Lungi, raising public awareness about Mpox, its symptoms, and how to prevent its spread, equipping healthcare facilities with personal protective equipment (PPE) and enhancing training for health workers on infection control and partnering with international organizations, including WHO, for technical and logistical support.
“Mpox may be new to Sierra Leone, but we are not starting from scratch,” the Health Minister assured. “Our health systems have improved, and we are confident in our ability to contain this outbreak.”
A call for calm and cooperation
While the news of Mpox is concerning, health officials emphasize that panic is unnecessary, the government is fully committed to stopping the spread, and early detection ensures a better chance of containment.
The public is urged to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperative with health authorities. With strengthened health systems and community support, Sierra Leone can effectively overcome this challenge, protecting the nation from further spread.
Public advisory
The Ministry of Health has urged anyone experiencing symptoms of Mpox to immediately contact the national emergency line at 117 or visit the nearest health facility. Public health teams are on standby to isolate suspected cases and trace their contacts to prevent further infections.
Call for vigilance
While health authorities emphasize that all necessary precautions are in place, they appeal to the public to remain vigilant and cooperative. The country’s experience with Ebola has strengthened its capacity to respond to outbreaks, and health teams are confident in their ability to contain this situation.
