Sierra Leone Battles a Mpox Surge

FREETOWN: Alarm bells are ringing in Sierra Leone as the nation grapples with a shocking rise in mpox infections, recording a staggering 1,140 cases and nine fatalities since the year's inception, according to the health ministry.

Public Health Emergency Declared!

Earlier this year, in January, the West African nation declared a public health emergency to tackle the growling threat of mpox. Just last week, reports indicated that the death toll had climbed to six, with 763 cases reported. Freetown, the bustling capital, has emerged as the epicenter of this alarming outbreak.

Urgent Vaccination Efforts Underway!

In a bid to combat this health crisis, the government kicked off a vaccine campaign in early April, targeting children aged 12 and older, high-risk individuals, and healthcare workers potentially exposed to the virus. The World Health Organization has supplied 61,300 doses to bolster these efforts. Desmond Maada Kangbai, who heads the vaccination drive, stated, "We are ramping up our campaign across Freetown, border towns, and rural areas to safeguard our most vulnerable populations against this virus." As of now, approximately 2,500 individuals have been vaccinated.

Treatment Centers Established!

To further support those affected, the government has established four dedicated treatment centers in Freetown since February, providing necessary medical care to patients suffering from this troubling virus.

What is Mpox?

Mpox, caused by a virus closely related to smallpox, presents with severe symptoms such as high fever and distinctive skin lesions. Although first identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo back in 1970, it has typically remained confined to a select number of African nations. However, 2022 marked a turning point as mpox began to fan out across the globe, even reaching countries where it had previously never circulated. The World Health Organization responded by declaring its highest level of alert in 2024.

A Grievous History Repeats?

This resurgence of infectious disease comes as a stark reminder of Sierra Leone's troubled past. Just a decade ago, the country was reeling from an Ebola epidemic that wreaked havoc between 2014 and 2016, claiming around 4,000 lives and leaving nearly seven percent of health workers tragically lost in the fight.