Freetown, July 2025 — In the face of rising Mpox cases across Sierra Leone, the Government has launched a nationwide intensified response aimed at ensuring that every case is identified, supported, and linked to care.
Operating under the principle “Leave No Case Behind,” this comprehensive strategy is designed to make sure no one — regardless of their location or social status — is overlooked in efforts to curb the outbreak.
With confirmed cases now reported in all 16 districts, the National Public Health Agency (NPHA), with backing from key partners including UNICEF, WHO, GOAL, MSF, US CDC, Africa CDC, and ECOWAS RCSDC, is leading the charge through a series of coordinated interventions. These include:
* Active case search and contact tracing
* Deployment of Community Health Workers (CHWs) and Rapid Response Teams (RRTs)
* Referral and treatment at designated health facilities
* Community engagement through local leaders, health reporters, and social mobilizers to strengthen trust and encourage early reporting
Central to the response is a strong focus on community engagement. The Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) team is spearheading efforts to tackle misinformation, track rumors, and reduce stigma — with targeted outreach to vulnerable groups such as young people, persons with disabilities, students, and marginalized communities.
“Our goal is clear — no Mpox case should go undetected or untreated. We are working together as one country to make that happen,” said Dr. James Squire, Incident Manager for the Mpox Response at NPHA.
Health officials say this robust, coordinated approach highlights Sierra Leone’s determination to meet the health crisis head-on, demonstrating how government leadership, partner collaboration, and active community participation can overcome even the most difficult health threats.
