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People who recently came into close contact with Canadian-Sierra Leonean Reality TV Star, Hawa Hunt are now at risk of contracting the Mpox virus.
Hunt announced on Sunday that she has been diagnosed with the Mpox disease a few weeks following her release from prison.
Earlier in March, Hunt was discharged after government prosecutors withdrew charges of “transmitting insulting messages via a computer system” under Sierra Leone’s Cybersecurity and Crime Act 2021.
Her release was welcomed with wide applause from bloggers, celebrities, and prominent people in the entertainment industry. Photos were taken, and videos were shared widely on social media as she celebrated her freedom. However, with such close interactions, they may have unknowingly been exposed to the virus.
Hunt, in an effort to prevent further exposure, has urged everyone who had close contact with her during these interactions to take immediate precautions. She has asked those who met her to monitor their health, get tested for Mpox, and isolate if necessary to stop the potential spread of the virus.
Mpox is a viral disease caused by an orthopoxvirus, primarily spreading through close contact with infected individuals. Symptoms include a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, and fever, and in severe cases, the disease can be fatal.
In response to the ongoing situation, a public health emergency was declared for mpox on January 16, 2025, aimed at rapidly containing the outbreak and safeguarding public health.
According to the official data released by the National Public Health Agency on Monday, March 24, 2025, the cumulative number of confirmed Mpox cases in Sierra Leone has reached 112. While there are 58 active cases, 52 recoveries were recorded while two victims have sadly passed.
