Freetown, Sierra Leone – Sierra Leone has been officially declared free of mpox after more than 42 consecutive days without a new confirmed case, Health Minister Dr. Austin Demby announced on Tuesday during the second anniversary celebration of the National Public Health Agency (NPHA).
The declaration marks a significant victory for the West African nation, which faced its largest mpox outbreak earlier in 2025. The epidemic began in January, with the first case confirmed on January 10 and a public health emergency declared shortly after. Driven by the clade IIb strain, the same variant behind the 2022 global outbreak, the virus spread rapidly through close contact, affecting young adults equally across genders and concentrating in urban areas like Freetown.
At its peak in mid-2025, Sierra Leone reported over 4,500 confirmed cases and around 30-60 deaths (official figures vary, with a case fatality rate of about 0.7%).
The surge strained the health system, prompting vaccination campaigns that delivered over 150,000 doses targeting healthcare workers, contacts, and high-risk groups. Community engagement, enhanced surveillance, contact tracing, and lessons from past crises like Ebola and COVID-19 played key roles in curbing transmission.
Dr. Demby honored the lives lost—estimated at 60 in recent statements—calling it a “milestone in public health response” while reminding attendees of epidemics’ human toll. He praised frontline workers, surveillance teams, community leaders, and international partners for their coordinated efforts.
“This achievement reflects the resilience of our health system and the dedication of those who contained the outbreak,” Dr. Demby said, urging continued vigilance and investment in infrastructure to prevent resurgence.
The announcement drew applause at the NPHA event, attended by officials and stakeholders. As global mpox cases persist in other regions, Sierra Leone’s success highlights strengthened emergency preparedness in Africa, underscoring the importance of swift action and community cooperation in combating infectious threats.
