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Freetown, Sierra Leone – Sierra Leone has declared a public health emergency in response to the confirmation of two cases of mpox, a viral disease previously known as monkeypox, within the country. The decision was announced on Monday by Health Minister Austin Demby, who confirmed that the government was enhancing surveillance and testing at the nation’s borders in an effort to prevent further spread.
The declaration follows the confirmation of the first case of mpox last week, marking the country’s first case since the World Health Organization (WHO) raised its highest level of alert for the disease in 2024. A second case was reported after a 21-year-old male presented with symptoms on January 6, 2025. The National Public Health Agency provided an update on social media Monday, stressing the urgency of the situation.
“The confirmation of two cases of mpox in the country has prompted immediate action as mandated by the public health act,” Minister Demby told reporters at a press briefing in Freetown. “On behalf of the government of Sierra Leone, I am declaring a public health emergency.”
Mpox, a viral illness from the same family as smallpox, causes symptoms such as high fever and skin lesions, often referred to as vesicles. The disease, first identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970, has historically been confined to a dozen African nations. However, in 2022, the virus spread beyond Africa, reaching developed countries where it had not previously circulated.
With the public health emergency in place, Sierra Leone’s government is mobilizing resources to contain the disease and prevent further outbreaks. Minister Demby emphasized the importance of swift action to ensure adequate care for affected individuals and to curb the virus’s transmission.
“We urge all citizens to remain calm, stay informed, and report any suspected cases promptly to healthcare authorities,” Demby added. The government has also launched a nationwide awareness campaign to educate the public about mpox and its symptoms.
The Minister also reassured the nation that the medical system was prepared to respond to the outbreak, pointing to valuable lessons learned during Sierra Leone’s previous encounters with public health crises such as the Ebola epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sierra Leone was one of the hardest-hit countries during the 2014–2016 Ebola epidemic, which resulted in nearly 4,000 deaths and disproportionately affected healthcare workers. The lessons from that tragedy, combined with the nation’s pandemic preparedness, have strengthened the country’s response capacity.
As of now, the situation remains closely monitored, with health authorities working diligently to manage the outbreak and prevent further spread.
