Sierra Leone confirms first case of mpox - January 10, 2025

[Mary Wilson]

11 Jan 2025

Sierra Leone has reported its first confirmed case of mpox since the world's highest alert level for the potentially deadly viral disease was raised last year.

"The patient is a 27-year-old man from the rural district of the Western Zone," near the capital Freetown, the National Public Health Agency stated in a social media post.

"Health teams are actively tracing and investigating to identify potential exposed persons and to prevent further spread," it said.

The agency added tests had confirmed the case on January 10 but did not specify the variant affecting the patient. ...

https://trtafrika.com/africa/sierra-leone-confirms-first-case-of-mpox-18252694

[Pathfinder]

National Public Health Agency

January 10 at 1:35 PM

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Press Release

Sierra Leone Confirms First Mpox Case since Global Health Alert


https://www.facebook.com/NPHASL/posts/pfbid06x3wrXT2XD5FwzR6ySFzC6tgSNbefH4QJq4Zpo1cBVYK RvYzFKLXFdW2o59PziYSl

[sharon sanders]

bump this

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.oneindia.com/internation...1-4041723.html

Sierra Leone Declares State of Emergency Following Second Mpox Case in Four Days
By Sathish Raman Time Updated: Tuesday, January 14, 2025, 3:36 [IST]

Sierra Leone has declared a state of emergency following the detection of its second mpox case within four days, according to health officials. The health ministry noted that neither patient had recent contact with infected animals or sick individuals. The first case involved travel only to Lungi, an airport town in the northern Port Loko District, between December 26 and January 6.

Both patients are currently receiving medical care in Freetown, the capital city. Mpox, also referred to as monkeypox, was first identified in 1958 when scientists observed outbreaks of a pox-like illness in monkeys. Historically, human cases were mostly reported in central and West Africa among those who had close contact with infected animals...

[Pathfinder]

Scaling up mpox outbreak response in Sierra Leone

18 February 2025

Freetown ‒ Sierra Leone is deploying a range of measures to control and end an outbreak of mpox in which 18 cases have so far been reported since the disease was confirmed on 13 January 2025.

The National Public Health Agency, with support from partners, including World Health Organization (WHO), is stepping up disease surveillance to swiftly detect cases, provide care and prevent further spread of infection. With technical and logistical support from WHO, emergency public health workers are enhancing active case search and investigation for a more effective outbreak response.

Sierra Leone has been reinforcing preparedness and capacity to respond to public health emergencies in recent years. In November 2024, WHO supported the training of 65 health workers and laboratory personnel in diagnostic procedures and sample collection. Additionally, 160 health workers were trained on integrated approach covering surveillance, case management, infection prevention and control, laboratory practices, and risk communication and community engagement. This proactive approach ensured frontline workers were prepared to manage the mpox outbreak from the onset.

To further help curb the spread of the disease, a consignment of 61 300 vaccine doses is expected to be delivered in the coming weeks in Sierra Leone thanks to support from WHO and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and UNICEF. These organizations will cover operational costs for the vaccination targeting at-risk people, including health workers. Additionally, efforts, coordinated by partners, including UNICEF, are underway to increase public awareness about the disease as well as encourage preventive measures and the importance of seeking medical care.

WHO has already delivered over US$ 38 000 worth of essential laboratory supplies and personal protective equipment, including gloves, gowns, aprons, face shields, biohazard waste bags, and infrared thermometers. Supplies also included genomics sequencing reagents, PCR kits for 400 tests, GeneXpert cartridges for 50 tests, and genomic sequencing kits for 45 tests.

Clinical care is also being reinforced. WHO has procured treatment kits for 20 inpatients and 180 outpatients and is providing technical expertise to clinicians and other responders by assisting in the planning of response activities and developing case management guidelines and training programmes.

“Despite numerous challenges, WHO has successfully mobilized resources at all levels to deliver vital commodities, including vaccines,” says Dr George Ameh, WHO Representative in Sierra Leone. “We will continue to support the country to bring this current outbreak under control.”

An upsurge of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its spread to neighbouring countries was declared a public health emergency of international concern on 14 August 2024. At total of 22 countries in the African region have reported cases since 2024, of which 12 currently have active outbreaks.

WHO and partner organizations are working closely with the affected countries to contain these outbreaks. According to Professor Foday Sahr, the Director of Sierra Leone’s National Public Health Agency, the support by WHO “continues to ensure our ministry and agency succeed in safeguarding the health of our citizens.”

Mpox is a viral disease caused by an orthopoxvirus. It spreads mainly through close contact with someone who has mpox, causing a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, and fever. In severe cases, the disease can be deadly.

https://www.afro.who.int/countries/sierra-leone/news/scaling-mpox-outbreak-response-sierra-leone

[Pathfinder]

WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 10: 3 - 9 March 2025
Data as reported by: 17:00; 9 March 2025
...
Sierra Leone
Mpox

72 Cases
1 Deaths
1.4% CFR

EVENT DESCRIPTION

The ongoing mpox outbreak in Sierra Leone, first
reported to WHO on 11 January 2025, has intensified
both in scale and geographic spread, raising significant
public health concerns. Since our last update (Week
4 Bulletin), 56 new cases with one death have been
reported across the country. In epidemiological week 10
(week ending 9 March 2025), 34 new confirmed cases
and one death were reported from two districts: Western
Area Urban (32 cases, 1 death) and Western Area Rural
(2 cases, 0 deaths), marking a dramatic increase in the
number of new cases as well as the first mpox death
reported in the current outbreak.

From 11 January to 9 March 2025, a cumulative total of
72 confirmed mpox cases, including one death (CFR
1.4%), have been reported across eight districts in Sierra
Leone. The Western Area Urban (n=52) and Western
Area Rural (n=7) account for 81.9% of all reported cases,
while the remaining cases are distributed across Bombali
(n=3), Tonkolili (n=3), Port Loko (n=2), Moyamba (n=2),
Bo (n=2), and Karene (n=1). Among the confirmed
cases, one is a healthcare worker. The age of affected
individuals ranges from 1 to 52 years, with a mean age
of 21 years. Adults aged 25 to 39 years represent the
most affected group, constituting 58.3% (n=42) of the
total cases. The outbreak has predominantly impacted
students (30 cases) and business persons (23 cases),
who together account for 73.6% of all reported cases.

As of 9 March 2025, a total of 415 contacts have been
identified. Among them, 374 have completed the 21-
day monitoring period, while 41 remain under follow-up.
Additionally, 49 active cases are currently receiving
clinical management, with 36 admitted to hospital
isolation wards and 13 being managed through home
care.

Genomic sequencing analysis of eight samples shipped
to the Institut Pasteur Dakar confirmed that Clade IIb is
the circulating strain of the mpox virus (MPXV) in Sierra
Leone. This strain was responsible for the 2022–2023
global outbreak, which led to widespread human-tohuman
transmission, particularly in Europe and the Americas.

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

Sierra Leone’s response to the mpox outbreak continues
to be coordinated by a National Incident Management
Team from the Public Health Emergency Operations
Centre (PHEOC). The National Public Health Agency,
with technical support from WHO and health partners, is
conducting routine technical and operational meetings to
guide response actions. A National Incident Action Plan
has been developed to steer the mpox response, and a
public-private partnership initiative is in place to mobilize
support for response efforts.

At the subnational level, coordination structures are in
place to support the operational response in affected
districts. Rapid response teams deployed in these
districts continue to actively conduct response activities.
Active surveillance for mpox is ongoing across the
affected districts. In Western Area Urban and Western
Area Rural, an enhanced surveillance initiative called
“Operation Find Them All” was recently launched on 27
February 2025, focusing on actively identifying mpox
cases in communities and health facilities. Detailed
case investigations and contact tracing efforts are also
ongoing.

Laboratory testing for mpox confirmation continues
at public health laboratories, including the 34 Military
Hospital, the Central Public Health Reference Laboratory
(CPHRL), and the Jui P3 Laboratory. Genomic sequencing
to identify the circulating strain has also been performed.
WHO and its health partners, including the Global Alliance
for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), UNICEF, and the
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, have
delivered 58,300 doses of the Modified Vaccinia Ankara
- Bavarian Nordic (MVA-BN) mpox vaccine to support
the outbreak response. The national technical advisory
group on vaccines held a meeting to approve the use of
the vaccine in the country.

Additionally, WHO has already delivered over US$
38000 worth of essential laboratory supplies and
personal protective equipment, including gloves,
gowns, aprons, face shields, biohazard waste bags, and
infrared thermometers. Supplies also included genomics
sequencing reagents, PCR kits for 400 tests, GeneXpert
cartridges for 50 tests, and genomic sequencing kits for
45 tests.

A total of 36 active cases have been admitted to hospital
isolation wards for clinical care, while 13 are being
managed through home care. A total of 22 cases have
recovered. WHO has procured treatment kits for 20
inpatients and 180 outpatients and is providing technical
expertise to clinicians and other responders by assisting
in the development of case management guidelines and
training programs.

An infection prevention and control mentorship program
for mpox has been activated for healthcare workers in 18
health facilities in the Western Area Urban district.
There are also ongoing activities to raise community
awareness and combat misinformation through radio
and community outreaches in the Western Area Urban
and Western Area Rural districts. Media monitoring
and social listening activities are being implemented to
track rumours and infodemics. Mpox information education
and communication materials are being disseminated on various
platforms.

SITUATION INTERPRETATION

The increase in cases, including the first death in this outbreak, can be attributed to continued human-to-human
transmission, particularly in urban areas where most cases are concentrated among young adults, students, and
business people. Increased social interaction, mobility, and crowded environments such as schools, universities, and
workplaces may be contributing to the spread of the virus, especially with the identified Clade IIb strain, known for
widespread human-to-human transmission. While these trends are not uncommon in mpox outbreaks, the concentrated
exposure within specific high-risk groups underscores the need for targeted prevention and awareness initiatives.
Although response actions like active surveillance, contact tracing, and laboratory testing are underway, resource gaps
remain, hindering an effective and efficient response. Strengthening risk communication and community engagement
to promote awareness and preventive health practices and address misinformation will be crucial to controlling this

https://www.afro.who.int/health-topics/disease-outbreaks/outbreaks-and-other-emergencies-updates