Sierra Leone Reports Over 2,000 Mpox Cases and 11 Deaths Amid Rising Outbreak

Sierra Leone is currently experiencing a significant increase in mpox cases, with the health ministry confirming over 2,045 infections and 11 fatalities since the start of the year. Authorities announced that, as of recent reports, there have been 165 new cases in a single day, highlighting a rapid escalation of the outbreak. Back in early May, the country had reported 1,140 cases and nine deaths, indicating a concerning upward trend.

In response to the surge, Sierra Leone's health minister, Austin Demby, has requested 100,000 doses of mpox vaccines from India' s High Commissioner, emphasizing the urgent need for vaccination efforts. The government has also established four treatment centers in Freetown to manage and contain the outbreak.

Mpox, a virus related to smallpox, typically causes high fever and skin lesions. It was first identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970 and was historically confined to a few African countries. However, since 2022, the disease has spread more widely, prompting the World Health Organization to declare its highest level of alert in 2024.

Sierra Leone's experience with past epidemics, notably Ebola, underscores the country's resilience and the importance of prompt response to emerging health threats. The recent spike in mpox cases is part of a broader regional trend, with countries such as Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi, and Kenya also witnessing rising numbers.

Health authorities emphasize that while cases started from a low baseline of one to two daily, there has been a gradual rise to 50 cases per day in recent months, especially in urban and rural areas across the western part of Sierra Leone. The health ministry continues to emphasize the necessity of vaccination and public health measures to control the outbreak.

This development highlights the importance of surveillance, vaccination, and healthcare preparedness in managing infectious disease outbreaks, especially in regions with a history of health crises like Sierra Leone.