Sierra Leone has declared a state of emergency following the confirmation of its second case of mpox in less than four days. The announcement from health authorities comes as the West African nation intensifies efforts to prevent further spread of the viral disease.
The two patients, who are currently receiving treatment at a hospital in the capital, Freetown, were not reported to have had any direct contact with infected animals or individuals, officials confirmed. This has raised concerns about the potential for undetected transmission within the community.
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, was declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO) in August 2024 due to the rapid spread of a new strain of the virus. The disease, which presents with symptoms such as fever, headache, and painful skin lesions, can spread through close physical contact, including sexual activity.
The new strain of mpox, which is believed to be more transmissible and causes more severe illness, has been responsible for the ongoing outbreak across several African countries. The Democratic Republic of Congo remains the epicenter of the outbreak, with the majority of the approximately 43,000 suspected cases and over 1,000 deaths recorded across the continent.
This latest outbreak comes after the WHO’s successful efforts to control the 2022 mpox surge, which primarily affected men. Vaccination efforts played a key role in curbing the spread of the virus, and many health experts hope that similar strategies can help manage the current wave.
Sierra Leone, still recovering from the deadly Ebola epidemic of 2014-2016, is now working to prevent another health crisis. The government has already launched an intensive public awareness campaign and has stepped up surveillance efforts, focusing on the areas visited by the infected individuals. Health workers are being provided with protective equipment, and officials are urging citizens to report any suspected symptoms immediately.
The state of emergency allows the government to implement additional control measures, including contact tracing and isolation protocols, in an effort to limit the spread of the virus.
As the outbreak continues, international partners, including the European Union, are assisting Sierra Leone by sending vaccines and other medical support. The swift response is crucial for the country, given its previous experiences with large-scale epidemics and the lessons learned from the Ebola crisis, which devastated the nation a decade ago.