Surge in Mpox Cases Reported by Health Workers in Sierra Leone

Health authorities in Sierra Leone are currently contending with a rising number of mpox infections, having documented 177 new cases in recent days, according to a statement from a ministry official.

The West African nation declared a public health emergency in January to address the mpox outbreak and has mobilized health teams to conduct screening in households of individuals suspected of being infected with the virus.

Amanda Clemens, the social mobilization coordinator for the health ministry, reported that the surge in cases was recorded during the Friday-Saturday period. Since the health emergency was declared, Sierra Leone has reported a cumulative total of 763 mpox cases, resulting in six fatalities and 282 recoveries, as per the data released by the National Public Health Agency.

The capital city, Freetown, has experienced the highest incidence of mpox cases since the emergency was initiated, prompting the establishment of four treatment centers in the city starting in February.

Misinformation and fear surrounding the illness have significantly hindered individuals from seeking timely medical assistance, as stated by Sallu Lansana, a member of the health ministry's vaccination team. He highlighted that some individuals delayed testing, potentially spreading the virus before confirming their diagnosis.

In response to the outbreak, the government commenced vaccinations for frontline health workers, high-risk individuals, and children aged 12 and older in early April. This initiative was made possible through the acquisition of 61,300 vaccine doses from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other development partners.

Desmond Maada Kangbai, who oversees the health ministry's vaccination program, indicated that over 1,000 individuals have been vaccinated, with the majority being healthcare workers, many of whom are women.

Mpox, which is caused by a virus related to smallpox, typically presents symptoms such as high fever and skin lesions known as vesicles. The disease was first identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970 and has historically been confined to about a dozen African nations. However, in 2022, it began to spread more widely, reaching developed countries where it had not previously circulated.

The WHO escalated its response by declaring the highest level of alert in 2024. This situation is reminiscent of the Ebola epidemic that severely affected Sierra Leone between 2014 and 2016, claiming approximately 4,000 lives, including nearly 7% of healthcare workers.