Scaling up mpox outbreak response in Sierra Leone

Freetown ‒ Sierra Leone is deploying a vary of measures to manipulate and live an outbreak of mpox in which 20 instances have up to now been reported since the disease changed into confirmed on 13 January 2025.

The Nationwide Public Health Agency, with support from companions, including World Health Organization (WHO), is stepping up disease surveillance to without warning detect instances, present care and stop further unfold of infection. With technical and logistical support from WHO, emergency public health workers are enhancing filled with life case search and investigation for a extra efficient outbreak response.

Sierra Leone has been reinforcing preparedness and ability to reply to public health emergencies in fresh years. In November 2024, WHO supported the training of 65 health workers and laboratory personnel in diagnostic procedures and pattern collection. Additionally, 160 health workers were trained on integrated advance covering surveillance, case administration, infection prevention and administration, laboratory practices, and threat dialog and group engagement. This proactive advance ensured frontline workers were inspiring to regulate the mpox outbreak from the onset.

To further abet curb the unfold of the disease, a consignment of 61 300 vaccine doses is anticipated to be delivered in the coming weeks in Sierra Leone thanks to support from WHO and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Africa Facilities for Illness Support watch over and Prevention and UNICEF. These organizations will conceal operational costs for the vaccination targeting at-threat other folks, including health workers. Additionally, efforts, coordinated by companions, including UNICEF, are underway to increase public awareness in regards to the disease in addition to succor preventive measures and the significance of seeking sanatorium treatment.

WHO has already delivered over US$ 38 000 rate of indispensable laboratory supplies and deepest protecting gear, including gloves, gowns, aprons, face shields, biohazard waste baggage, and infrared thermometers. Supplies additionally included genomics sequencing reagents, PCR kits for 400 checks, GeneXpert cartridges for 50 checks, and genomic sequencing kits for 45 checks.

Clinical care is additionally being reinforced. WHO has procured therapy kits for 20 inpatients and 180 outpatients and is providing technical ride to clinicians and other responders by assisting in the planning of response activities and developing case administration guidelines and training programmes.

“No topic a substantial number of challenges, WHO has efficiently mobilized sources at all ranges to bring crucial commodities, including vaccines,” says Dr George Ameh, WHO Consultant in Sierra Leone. “We are in a position to continue to support the country to bring this present outbreak below administration.”

An upsurge of mpox (previously ceaselessly known as monkeypox) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its unfold to neighbouring international locations changed into declared a public health emergency of international grief on 14 August 2024. At total of twenty-two international locations in the African remark have reported instances since 2024, of which 12 for the time being have filled with life outbreaks.

WHO and associate organizations are working closely with the affected international locations to contain these outbreaks. According to Professor Foday Sahr, the Director of Sierra Leone’s Nationwide Public Health Agency, the support by WHO “continues to be certain our ministry and company prevail in safeguarding the health of our citizens.”

Mpox is a viral disease induced by an orthopoxvirus. It spreads mainly thru conclude contact with somebody who has mpox, causing a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, and fever. In severe instances, the disease would possibly maybe well maybe additionally fair additionally be deadly.