Sierra Leone declares emergency after confirming 2nd mpox case in 4 days
Associated PressJan 15
Sierra Leone Declares Health Emergency Over Mpox
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Above: Nigeria launched a vaccination campaign against the Mpox outbreak in the capital, Abuja, on Nov. 25, 2024. Image copyright: Emmanuel Osodi/Contributor/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Facts
Sierra Leone declared a public health emergency on Monday after confirming two patients with cases of Mpox — who are receiving treatment at Freetown's Connaught Hospital — within four days. These are the country's first cases since the WHO declared a global health emergency in 2024.
The first patient, a 27-year-old from Western Area Rural District, had traveled to the town of Lungi between Dec. 26 and Jan. 6. The second patient, a 21-year-old from Freetown, showed symptoms on Jan. 6, however, neither case had known contact with infected animals or other sick individuals.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has experienced the majority of Africa's Mpox cases — accounting for approximately 70% of the continent's 49,933 suspected cases — and contributed significantly to the roughly 1K deaths recorded across affected countries.
The Spin
Narrative A
The rapid implementation of emergency measures highlights Sierra Leone's improved healthcare response capabilities, which are built from hard-learned lessons during previous epidemics. The West African nation is now better equipped to contain the outbreak through enhanced surveillance and public health protocols.
Narrative B
The emergence of a more transmissible and severe strain of Mpox, combined with the lack of clear transmission patterns in the current cases, raises serious concerns about the potential for widespread community transmission. This is a concerning challenge — especially in a region with limited healthcare resources.
