Published: September 7, 2024
MONROVIA – The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) has confirmed a second case of Mpox in Liberia, located in Lofa County. This new case, involving a two-year-old male patient showing symptoms typical of Mpox such as fever and rash, comes shortly after the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (ACDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on August 14, 2024.
This confirmation marks the second case following the first detected in Sinoe County. Both cases follow closely on the heels of the ACDC and WHO declaration, indicating a growing concern for public health within the region.
The young patient is currently receiving home-based care and is isolated from contact with the public. Health authorities have traced and identified four contacts, who are also under observation to prevent further spread of the disease.
With these cases, Monkeypox transmission in Liberia is now officially classified as an outbreak. NPHIL has activated the National Incident Management System (IMS) to manage the outbreak, collaborating with international partners, the Ministry of Health, and local communities to bolster preparedness and response efforts.
In response to the escalating situation, health and surveillance officers across the country have heightened their monitoring activities, as sporadic suspected cases of Mpox begin to surface.
NPHIL is also intensifying public awareness and prevention campaigns to inform the public about the disease and ways to prevent its spread. The public is strongly advised to adhere to health and sanitation regulations to avoid person-to-person and community spread of the Monkeypox virus.
NPHIL emphasized the importance of community cooperation and observance of health guidelines to manage and eventually contain the spread of Mpox in the country.
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