Sierra Leone Declares Public Health Emergency Over Mpox Outbreak
Sierra Leone has declared a public health emergency following the confirmation of two mpox cases within its borders. The announcement was made by Health Minister Austin Demby in the capital, Freetown, after the second case of the viral disease was identified.
Immediate Action Under Public Health Act
“The confirmation of two cases of mpox in the country has prompted immediate action as mandated by the Public Health Act,” Demby stated. “On behalf of the government of Sierra Leone, I am declaring a public health emergency.”
This marks the first reported cases of mpox in Sierra Leone since the African Union declared a public health emergency over the growing outbreak on the continent in 2022.
Details of the Cases
The second confirmed case involved a 21-year-old man who exhibited symptoms on January 6. The Ministry of Health and Sanitation confirmed that neither case involved recent contact with infected animals or sick individuals. Only the first case included travel history, limited to the airport town of Lungi in the northern Port Loko District between December 26 and January 6. Both patients are receiving medical care in Freetown.
Government’s Response
The public health emergency declaration enables the government to mobilize resources to contain the disease, prevent further transmission, and provide treatment to those affected. Measures include heightened border surveillance, expanded testing, and a nationwide awareness campaign.
“We urge all citizens to remain calm, stay informed, and report any suspected cases promptly to healthcare authorities,” Demby said. He also highlighted the country’s preparedness, citing experience from managing Ebola and COVID-19 outbreaks.
Understanding Mpox
Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is a viral disease related to smallpox. Symptoms include fever and skin lesions called vesicles. Originally identified in monkeys in 1958, the virus primarily affected people in Central and West Africa with close contact with infected animals.
In 2022, the virus was confirmed to spread via sexual contact, leading to outbreaks in over 70 countries that had not previously reported mpox. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been the most severely affected, with approximately 43,000 suspected cases and 1,000 deaths in Africa this year.
Lessons from Past Epidemics
Sierra Leone’s response to mpox draws from its experience during the 2014–2016 Ebola outbreak, which killed nearly 4,000 people, including 7% of the country’s health workers. The government’s swift action aims to prevent a repeat of such devastating outcomes.
Source : Swifteradio.com
