Mpox Outbreak Officially Declared Over After 42 Days Without New Cases

Sierra Leone has officially declared its Mpox outbreak over, marking a major public health milestone after the country went more than 42 consecutive days without reporting a new case nationwide.

The announcement was made on Monday, 15 December 2025, by Health Minister Dr. Austin Demby, alongside the National Public Health Agency (NPHA), in line with World Health Organization public health standards. All sixteen districts have now exceeded the required threshold, with several districts reporting over 150 days without new cases.

Mpox was first detected in Sierra Leone in January 2025, prompting the government to declare a Public Health Emergency. Since then, the country has recorded 5,442 confirmed cases, with 5,382 recoveries, representing a 99 percent recovery rate. The outbreak recorded a case fatality rate of approximately 1.1 percent.

Speaking on the achievement, Dr. Demby emphasized that the outcome was the result of deliberate leadership and coordinated systems. “This is not luck. This is leadership. This is systems at work,” he said.

Health authorities credited the success to a nationwide response involving healthcare workers, the Ministry of Health, the NPHA, and community stakeholders. During the outbreak, more than 186,000 people were vaccinated, with priority given to healthcare workers and vulnerable populations. Additionally, over 22,500 contacts were traced and monitored, while laboratory testing capacity expanded to nine sites nationwide.

Through the NPHA, Sierra Leone implemented a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, extending surveillance, testing, and response efforts to communities across the country.

The announcement coincided with the second anniversary of the NPHA, which was established to strengthen early detection, surveillance, and response to public health emergencies. Since its inception, the agency has played a central role in managing disease outbreaks and protecting public health.

The declaration of the end of the Mpox outbreak represents a significant achievement for Sierra Leone’s health sector and underscores the country’s growing capacity to respond effectively to public health threats.