Freetown, Sierra Leone – Today in Freetown, the World Health Organization (WHO) organized a high-level meeting to share update on the mpox situation in Sierra Leone and address urgent gaps. Initiated at the request of the Diplomatic Corps, the meeting was chaired by Ambassador Jens Kraus-Mass, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, and brought together 20 key stakeholders, including Honourable Minister of Health, Dr Austin Demby, other the Head of the National Public Health Agency (NPHA), Prof Foday Sahr, ECOWAS representatives, other ambassadors and partners.
The engagement provided a comprehensive overview of the national response and reinforced coordination and resource mobilization efforts.
Sierra Leone confirmed its first mpox case on 10 January 2025, tracing symptom onset in the index patient to December 2024. Since then, the outbreak has spread across all 16 districts, with 3,922 confirmed cases as of 9 June 2025.
In the last three weeks,1,168 new confirmed cases have been reported, reflecting a downward trend. While this is encouraging, significant steps should be taken to enhance surveillance and contact tracing, IPC in homes and institutions, while maintaining continuity of essential healthcare.
In his remarks, the honourable Minister of Health, Dr Austin Demby expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts: “Thank you to WHO and partners for listening to and supporting us. We are grateful for your solidarity. Adding further, that “this was a learning opportunity, but we will use it to build capacity and strengthen our institution. Let everything we do be backed up by data and science, not speculation.”
At the onset of the outbreak, Sierra Leone faced limited diagnostic capacity, surveillance infrastructure gaps, and shortages in infection, prevention and control (IPC) materials. Community fear and misinformation hindered early reporting. However, with strong coordination through the NPHA, with support from WHO and partners, notable progress has been made.
Testing capacity has improved at the national and sub-national levels. Healthcare workers and high-risk groups have received vaccinations and expanded community engagement activities have helped tackle stigma and promote early care-seeking, as health workers have undergone mpox case management and IPC training.
Ambassador Jens Kraus-Mass, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, emphasized the importance of collaboration: “We are grateful for this comprehensive brief. We will prioritize our support and help identify potential gaps. We are rethinking our approach to see how we can support this response more effectively.”
Key outstanding needs include funding for active surveillance, genomic sequencing, as well as gaps in IPC supplies, case management capacity, and psychosocial support.
Without sustained investment, critical components, such as the ongoing interventions in community engagement, deployment of rapid response teams, and logistics support systems risk being disrupted.
WHO Country Representative, Dr George Ameh underscored the urgency of continued efforts: “The next three weeks are crucial to maintain momentum. We must keep our eyes on all districts to avoid losing the gains we have made.”
The outbreak continues to primarily affect young adults aged 20–39, with a notable concentration among females aged 20–29. These patterns suggest possible links to social behaviour and mobility patterns, requiring deeper analysis and targeted interventions.
Today’s meeting highlights the importance of joint coordination and open dialogue in managing outbreaks. Sierra Leone’s mpox response has demonstrated determination and adaptability, and ongoing support will be critical in halting transmission, protecting lives, and preventing future outbreaks.
