Sierra Leone declares public health emergency over Mpox outbreak

Sierra Leone, a West African country, has declared a public health emergency following the confirmation of two mpox cases in the region.

The country’s Health Minister, Austin Demby, told the media that immediate action would be taken as mandated by the Public Health Act due to the confirmation of two cases in the country.

The West African country’s health minister announced the move on Monday after the second case of the deadly viral disease was confirmed.
He also went on to say, “On behalf of the government of Sierra Leone, I am declaring a public health emergency.”

Read more: Cholera cases rise in Nakonde, third Mpox case confirmed in Lusaka

The first confirmed case in Sierra Leone was reported last week and this comes months after the African Union’s health watchdog declared a public health emergency over the growing mpox outbreak on the continent last year.

According to the National Public Health Agency, a second case was recorded in a 21-year-old man on January 6th, 2025.

Reports stated that neither case had known recent contact with infected animals or other sick individuals, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation said.

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