Sierra Leone’s fight against Mpox has reached a turning point, with the Ministry of Health reporting a sharp drop in infections nationwide.
The announcement came during a one-day National Discourse on Mpox Response held today at the Atlantic Hotel in Aberdeen, bringing together government officials, health experts, civil society, and development partners.
Health Minister Dr. Austin Demby revealed that since the country’s first two confirmed cases in January 2025, more than 5,000 infections have been recorded, but over 4,900 patients have now recovered.
Active cases have fallen to just 84, with 90% currently receiving care in health facilities and the remaining 10% under strict monitoring.
Dr. Demby attributed the decline to decisive measures, including the establishment of Mpox response centers in Hastings, Calabatown, and Port Loko, the creation of isolation units in government hospitals, and the removal of infected individuals from homes for centralized treatment. Intensified contact tracing and a targeted surveillance system have also played a crucial role.
He further credited the country’s strong vaccination drive, which secured over 200,000 Mpox vaccine doses, and praised the government’s \$1.7 million direct support for the response.
Officials say the ultimate goal is to achieve zero Mpox cases in Sierra Leone.
