IPNEWS: The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) and the Ministry of Health (MoH) inform the public of a significant outbreak of Mpox currently affecting many countries in the African Region. Since the beginning of 2024, Liberia has reported five confirmed cases of Mpox across three counties, with the most recent case identified in May 2024. However, it is possible that more cases have occurred but have not been reported
With the emergence and rapid spread of Mpox, we urge all citizens to remain vigilant and continue practicing infection prevention and control (IPC) measures in homes, schools, workplaces, and other public areas. Your actions are critical in preventing the spread of Mpox and protecting the health of our communities.
The number of countries in the WHO African Region reporting Mpox cases and outbreaks has increased recently. These include countries reporting their first Mpox cases, such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, and countries reporting re-emerging outbreaks, such as the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and South Africa.
Clade Ib monkeypox virus (MPXV) has been linked with sustained human-to-human transmission in DRC, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. At the same time, Clade II MPXV has been detected in Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa. These events represent a rapid escalation in the geographical area affected by Mpox due to clades I, Ib, and IIb in the region within the last few weeks.
Following the WHO Emergency Response Framework, WHO has re-graded the global Mpox multi-country event to an acute Grade 3 emergency and has requested WHO Member States to heighten surveillance and reporting of suspected, probable, and confirmed cases of Mpox.
On 13 August 14, 2024 the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) also officially declared the ongoing Mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS), marking the first such declaration by the agency since its inception in 2017
Mpox: Mpox is a zoonotic viral disease transmitted from animals to humans. It is an immediately reportable priority disease under the Liberia Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy, with symptoms lasting 14 to 21 days.
Severe cases may occur more commonly among children and would be worsened by pre-existing health conditions, leading to severe complications.
Liberia has not reported a death of Mpox in the last 5years. However, the case fatality rate for Mpox can vary widely between 3-10% in documented events, mostly among young children.
Symptoms of monkey pox include fever, headache, muscle pains, blistering rash, and swollen
The Government of Liberia has taken the following actions in response to the continental outbreak of the Mpox disease:
- Strengthen the national disease surveillance system to detect and respond to any suspected case promptly
- Health facilities and Points of entry to sure that IPC measures and practices are in place
- In collaboration with the health promotion division, Mpox awareness is to be carried out in all communities
Mpox messages to the public:
–Avoid touching wild animals, rodents, and primates with your hands
-Wash your hands with soap and water before caring for someone else
-Cook all animals very well before eating
-Go to the hospital very quickly when you notice any fever in your body or that of someone
– Avoid unprotected sexual intercourse with suspected ill patients
NPHIL and the MoH, with the support of WHO and partners, are closely monitoring the Mpox situation in the region and country and will update you on any new developments.
