With nearly 4,000 reported cases, government details Mpox Response

Professor Foday Sahr, head of Sierra Leone's National Task Force on Drug and Substance Abuse, reported on the country's Mpox response at the Emergency Response Center. Sierra Leone has 3,922 documented cases, 3,001 recoveries, and 20 fatalities, with a case fatality rate lower than the continental average. 

The Task Force continues efforts to eradicate the virus through prompt treatment and identification of affected individuals and communities. At the onset, home care proved ineffective, leading to a revised strategy of transferring infected individuals to designated treatment centers, which has shown greater success. 

Response pillars, including IPC, Case Management, and Surveillance, have been reinforced to improve patient care and reduce reliance on home-based care. District-level activities are also being supported to align with national strategies. Sierra Leone has received 20,000 Mpox vaccine doses from the UAE, with 120,000 more expected. 

The government is prioritising healthcare workers and affected individuals for vaccination, with broader public access planned.