FREETOWN* — Sierra Leone is making notable strides in curbing the recent surge of mpox infections, according to data released Thursday by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
In the week ending June 24 (Week 24), Sierra Leone recorded 256 new confirmed mpox cases, down from 319 cases in Week 23 — a notable 20% decrease in confirmed infections. Suspected cases also fell sharply, from 357 to 282, marking a 21% reduction in notifications over the same period.
“This is very encouraging,” commented Dr. Yap Boum, Deputy Head of the Incident Management Support Team at Africa CDC, highlighting the nation’s downward trend in disease transmission .
The figures underscore growing momentum in Sierra Leone’s fight against the virus. However, expert voices caution that further vigilance is needed.
In related assessments, Africa CDC notes that surveillance remains largely passive, with test positivity rates currently above 80%, indicating many patients are only diagnosed after symptoms have worsened .
Across the continent, multiple African nations—including Sierra Leone—continue to grapple with mpox outbreaks. Yet, the combination of case declines and expanding vaccination efforts offers a hopeful outlook. Sierra Leone has received mpox vaccine supplies through support from Africa CDC and partners such as Gavi and UNICEF, prioritizing at-risk groups including healthcare workers.
What this means for Sierra Leone
* Transmission trend**: Mpox infections have fallen by around 20% in confirmed cases and over 21% in suspect cases week on week.
* Healthcare impact**: Continued active testing, contact tracing, and vaccination remain critical to further suppress transmission.
* Next steps: Authorities are urged to enhance surveillance—especially early detection—and to build on vaccination momentum to drive cases down even further.
Looking ahead, public health officials across West Africa will be watching Sierra Leone closely. Its progress could serve as a model for integrating passive and active surveillance, vaccination campaigns, and community engagement to sustainably suppress mpox.
