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It has been confirmed that 17 people are currently quarantined in Nyandehun Ngedema Village, Vailunia Chiefdom, Bo District, following contact tracing linked to a confirmed Mpox case in Tonkolili District.
This information was confirmed by the Bo District Medical Officer, Dr. Amara Stevens Ngegbai, while providing updates on the Mpox outbreak during a press briefing.
“We have quarantined 17 people who are family members of the seven-year-old boy in Vailunia Chiefdom as part of the contact tracing efforts.”
According to Dr. Ngegbai, the confirmed case involved a seven-year-old boy who tested positive for Mpox while admitted at Lion Heart Hospital in Yele Town, Tonkolili District, Northern Sierra Leone, after traveling from Bo District to seek medical attention.
Dr. Ngegbai noted that the quarantined individuals are being monitored by Community Assessment Workers (CAWs).
He assured the public that the Bo District Health Management Team (DHMT) is fully committed to supporting and monitoring all health facilities within the district.
Since the declaration of Mpox as a public health emergency by the Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, on January 13, 2025, the DHMT, in collaboration with the Bo Government Medical Superintendent, has implemented several measures. These include relocating the triage area to the gate of the Bo Government Hospital to enhance infection prevention and control.
Dr. Ngegbai emphasized the importance of engaging stakeholders across the district to strengthen community-level measures. He added that the DHMT is working on concept notes to present to development partners to secure funding for additional training of health workers and improved contact tracing methods.
He also assured the Resident Minister and journalists that the DHMT would provide regular updates on its activities and called on community members to adhere to all preventive measures.
In response, Resident Minister South, Chief John Abu, commended the DHMT for its dedication to curbing the spread of Mpox. He pledged his support and commitment to collaborating with the DMO and other stakeholders to enhance preventive measures in the district.
Chief Abu also praised journalists for their critical role in educating, informing, and entertaining the public.
Reflecting on their contributions during the Ebola and COVID-19 pandemics, he acknowledged their importance in disseminating accurate information during the current Mpox outbreak.
This collaboration between health authorities, development partners, and the media underscores the district’s commitment to preventing the spread of Mpox.
