Sierra Leone experiences first case of mpox

Sierra Leone has reported its first confirmed case of mpox for the reason that world’s highest alert degree for the doubtless lethal viral illness was raised final 12 months.

“The affected person is a 27-year-old man from the agricultural district of the Western Zone,” close to the capital Freetown, the Nationwide Public Well being Company acknowledged in a social media put up.

“Well being groups are actively tracing and investigating to establish potential uncovered individuals and to stop additional unfold,” it stated.

The company added assessments had confirmed the case on January 10 however didn’t specify the variant affecting the affected person.

Mpox is attributable to a virus from the identical household because the smallpox, manifesting itself by means of a excessive fever and pores and skin lesions, known as vesicles.

First recognized within the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970, the illness had typically been confined to a dozen African nations however started to unfold extra broadly in 2022, reaching developed nations the place the virus had by no means beforehand circulated.

The World Well being Group declared its highest alert degree in 2024.

Sierra Leonean well being authorities say they swiftly activated their response, inserting the affected person in remoted care.

His contacts can be monitored for 21 days with surveillance stepped up in areas he visited.

A public consciousness marketing campaign has been launched and well being staff are being issued with protecting tools and educated in prevention strategies.

Sierra Leone was one of many nations hardest hit by Ebola, which ravaged west Africa a decade in the past in an epidemic killing some 4,000 individuals, together with practically seven % of well being staff, between 2014 and 2016.

© 2025 AFP