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Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is an infectious disease caused by a pox virus related to the deadly smallpox. It was first identified in 1958 in a colony of monkeys in Copenhagen, Denmark, but is primarily hosted by rodents such as squirrels, rats, and mice, with humans and monkeys as incidental hosts. Historically considered a tropical disease confined to parts of Africa, Mpox has emerged as a global concern, with #SierraLeone now at the epicenter of a rapidly escalating outbreak.
Sierra Leone recorded its first Mpox case in 1970, followed by cases in 2014 and 2017 in Pujehun district. The disease re-emerged on January 10, 2025, signaling a need for heightened vigilance. According to the Africa CDC, Sierra Leone now accounts for three-quarters of new Mpox cases in Africa, with over 3,000 cases reported by June 2025, up from zero reported in 2024.
Tragically, more than 10 deaths from the disease have occurred in the past six months, driven largely by unprotected sexual activity, particularly among young adults. Recent studies from the University of Manitoba highlight sex as a primary driver of the epidemic, with many cases presenting with genital lesions. Some of these cases have included sex workers.
Mpox presents with symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, swollen glands, exhaustion, headaches, and a characteristic rash that appears one to five days after initial symptoms. Symptoms typically resolve within two to four weeks; however, the disease is highly contagious. Transmission occurs through direct contact with bodily fluids, sores, or scabs and to a lesser extent via respiratory droplets. Sexual activity has been identified as a significant mode of transmission in the current outbreak.
To prevent spread, individuals suspected of having Mpox must seek medical attention immediately and isolate until all lesions have healed and fresh skin has formed. Disinfecting living spaces, avoiding shared utensils and refraining from sexual activity are critical. Even after recovery, condom use is recommended for up to eight weeks to minimize transmission risks.
The World Health Organization (WHO) attributes the persistence of Mpox in African countries like Sierra Leone to unequal access to global vaccine stockpiles, limited healthcare resources, misinformation, population growth, humanitarian crises and funding cuts for immunization programs. These factors leave vulnerable populations ill-equipped to handle outbreaks.
In Sierra Leone, the National Public Health Agency (NPHA) has reintroduced measures used during the Ebola crisis, including mandatory handwashing stations, regular cleaning and health officer surveillance. However, these efforts have proven inadequate, as case numbers continue to rise exponentially. Vaccination remains the most effective tool to curb transmission, but Sierra Leone has received only 101,000 doses—51,000 last year and an additional 50,000 on May 28, 2025—far short of what is needed to protect the population.
The rapid spread of Mpox in Sierra Leone highlights the urgent need for comprehensive action. The government must prioritize securing additional vaccine doses to reduce the disease burden. Equally critical are robust public health campaigns to educate communities about Mpox symptoms, transmission and prevention. Awareness-raising efforts should target high-risk groups, including young adults and sex workers, to address misinformation and promote safe practices.
Sierra Leone’s experience with Ebola demonstrates its resilience in tackling public health crises, but the current Mpox outbreak demands global support. International partners must step up to provide vaccines and resources to ensure equitable access. Without swift and coordinated action, the outbreak risks spiraling further out of control.
The Mpox crisis in Sierra Leone is a stark reminder of the consequences of global health inequities. By investing in vaccines, education and infrastructure, Sierra Leone can curb the spread of this preventable disease. The time to act is now—lives depend on it.
Let’s Stop been fooled by foreigners like the American government. Their laboratory must be shot down at kenema district period. All those Visas ban is a beloof and threat nothing else because they are the only people cooking all types of chemicals and biological weapons in their laboratory and testing it direct to our people. It’s not the first time such wickedness been happened in the country for long ago. I don’t know what Sierra Leone government afraid of kicking those evil people out of the country. They based in Sierra Leone to destabilize the whole west Africa region particularly those trying to do well for citizens. Let call a spade, a spade the American government purpose is to control the black population and reap their wealth without paying anything for it.