WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
Week 12: 17 - 23 March 2025
Data as reported by: 17:00; 23 March 2025
...
Sierra Leone
Mpox
108 Cases
2 Deaths
1.9% CFR
EVENT DESCRIPTION
Sierra Leone continues to experience a rapid rise in
the number of reported mpox cases, raising significant
public health concerns. Since our last update in Week
8 Bulletin, a total of 36 new cases with one death were
reported from two districts. These include 27 new cases
with one death from Western Area Urban, which remains
at the epi-centre of the outbreak and nine (9) new cases
from the Western Area Rural.
From 11 January to 19 March 2025, a cumulative total of
108 confirmed mpox cases, including two deaths (CFR
1.9%), have been reported across eight districts in Sierra
Leone. The Western Area Urban (n=79) and Western
Area Rural (n=16) account for 88.0% 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. Males constitute 75.9%
(n=82) of the total cases. Age group 20 to 39 years
are the most affected, constituting 66.7% (n=72) of the
total cases. The outbreak has predominantly impacted
students (31 cases) and business persons (23 cases),
who together account for 50.0% of all reported cases.
As of 19 March 2025, a total of 600 contacts have been
identified. Among them, 414 have completed the 21- day
monitoring period, while 186 remain under follow-up.
Additionally, 68 active cases are currently receiving
clinical management, with 32 admitted to hospital
isolation wards and 36 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 under the leadership of the National Public Health
Agency (NPHA). The NPHA, 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, a mop-up exercise of the “Operation Find
Them All”, which was recently launched on 27 February
2025, is ongoing. There are plans to extend the enhanced
surveillance operation to the six other affected districts.
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 32 active cases have been admitted to hospital
isolation wards for clinical care, with one in critical
condition. There are 36 cases being managed through
home care. 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 mpox outbreak in Sierra Leone remains concentrated in the capital Freetown, particularly Western Area Urban and
Rural districts, with most cases among young adults, students, and businesspeople. High mobility, social interactions,
and closed environments like schools, workplaces, and homes are driving the spread of the Clade IIb strain, known
for efficient human-to-human transmission. The recent case spike may be largely due to enhanced surveillance and
active case search, revealing the true extent of the outbreak. However, challenges persist, particularly in addressing
community perceptions and stigma, which may hinder timely reporting and response efforts. Discussions on vaccination
strategies for high-risk groups are ongoing, though no campaign has been launched yet. WHO continue to advice
Member States to enhance surveillance, including contact tracing and active case search to interrupt transmission
chains. Additionally, risk communication and community engagement remain essential in raising awareness, promoting
preventive health measures, and countering misinformation. These are critical for controlling the outbreaks of mpox.
https://www.afro.who.int/countries/...emergencies-bulletin-week-12-17-23-march-2025
