WHO convenes high-stage meeting to update partners on Sierra Leone’s mpox response

Freetown, Sierra Leone – Today in Freetown, the World Health Organization (WHO) organized a high-stage meeting to share update on the mpox situation in Sierra Leone and contend with pressing gaps. Initiated at the request of the Diplomatic Corps, the meeting became once chaired by Ambassador Jens Kraus-Mass, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, and brought together 20 key stakeholders, including Honourable Minister of Health, Dr Austin Demby, the Head of the National Public Health Agency (NPHA), Prof Foday Sahr, ECOWAS representatives, assorted ambassadors and partners. 

The engagement provided a comprehensive overview of the national response and bolstered coordination and resource mobilization efforts. 

Sierra Leone confirmed its first mpox case on 10 January 2025, tracing symptom onset in the index patient to December 2024. Since then, the outbreak has spread at some level of all 16 districts, with 3,922 confirmed instances as of 9 June 2025. 

Within the closing three weeks, a total of 1,168 unusual confirmed instances had been reported, reflecting a downward pattern. Whereas here’s encouraging, valuable steps would possibly well also impartial quiet be taken to make stronger surveillance and contact tracing, IPC in houses and institutions, while affirming continuity of crucial healthcare. 

In his remarks, the honourable Minister of Health, Dr Austin Demby expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts: “Thank you to WHO and partners for listening to and supporting us. We are grateful for your solidarity. Adding further, that “this was a learning opportunity, but we will use it to build capacity and strengthen our institution. Let everything we do be backed up by data and science, not speculation.”

 At the onset of the outbreak, Sierra Leone confronted little diagnostic ability, surveillance infrastructure gaps, and shortages in infection, prevention and control (IPC) materials. Community apprehension and misinformation hindered early reporting. On the opposite hand, with strong coordination thru the NPHA, with reinforce from WHO and partners, indispensable growth has been made. 

Testing ability has improved at the national and sub-national ranges. Healthcare workers and high-possibility groups fill purchased vaccinations and expanded neighborhood engagement activities fill helped address stigma and promote early care-looking out for, as scientific examiners fill undergone mpox case management and IPC coaching. 

Ambassador Jens Kraus-Mass, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, emphasised the importance of collaboration: “We are grateful for this comprehensive brief. We will prioritize our support and help identify potential gaps. We are rethinking our approach to see how we can support this response more effectively.” 

Key renowned wants contain funding for energetic surveillance, genomic sequencing, in addition to gaps in IPC presents, case management ability, and psychosocial reinforce. 

Without sustained investment, crucial components, such because the ongoing interventions in neighborhood engagement, deployment of hasty response teams, and logistics reinforce systems possibility being disrupted. 

WHO Nation Consultant, Dr George Ameh underscored the urgency of continued efforts: “The next three weeks are crucial to maintain momentum. We must keep our eyes on all districts to avoid losing the gains we have made.”

The outbreak continues to basically have an effect on younger adults frail 20–39, with a indispensable concentration among females frail 20–29. These patterns suggest conceivable hyperlinks to social behaviour and mobility patterns, requiring deeper analysis and centered interventions. 

Today’s meeting highlights the importance of joint coordination and inaugurate dialogue in managing outbreaks. Sierra Leone’s mpox response has demonstrated determination and adaptableness, and ongoing reinforce can be crucial in halting transmission, retaining lives, and combating future outbreaks.