Sierra Leone has declared a public health emergency following the confirmation of two cases of mpox, a viral disease previously known as monkeypox. The declaration was made on Monday after the second case was reported in the West African country. This follows the announcement of the first confirmed case last week, marking the nation’s first encounter with the disease since the African Union’s health body declared a regional public health emergency last year.
The second case involved a 21-year-old man who began showing symptoms on January 6, according to the National Public Health Agency. The Ministry of Health and Sanitation confirmed that neither of the patients had known recent contact with infected animals or other individuals with the disease. The first case, however, involved travel to the Lungi area of Port Loko District between December 26 and January 6.
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Both patients are receiving treatment at a hospital in Freetown, and the government has taken immediate measures to manage the outbreak. The public health emergency underscores the seriousness with which authorities are addressing the situation.
As Sierra Leone responds to the threat of mpox, regional health officials remain on high alert as the outbreak continues to spread across parts of Africa.
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