Published: September 12, 2024
MONROVIA – Three new cases of Mpox have been confirmed in Liberia by the National Reference Laboratory of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL). This brings to five the number of positive confirmed cases in Liberia since the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (ACDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern about three weeks ago in mid-August, 2024.
The three new confirmed cases are from Lofa, Sinoe, and River Gee Counties, respectively. And this follows the timely launch of the National Incident Management System (IMS) at the Headquarters of the NPHIL last week which has since begun mobilizing resources and coordinating the national response.
Evidently, the current epidemiological trend of Mpox in Liberia, its pending biomolecular characterization, and existing guidelines equate this Mpox dynamic to an outbreak. Thus, the NPHIL is in collaboration with the MOH and International Partners as we proactively mount the response aimed at preventing the spread of the Monkeypox virus in the population.
Last weekend, an NPHIL Team visited border-entry points and assessed isolation centers in Nimba and Bong Counties to heighten preparations, increase contact tracing, and enhance diagnostic procedures as the IMS responds to the sporadic cases of Mpox that are appearing in two opposite geographic locations of the country.
As the NPHIL has activated the National Incident Management System (IMS) and is coordinating and managing the country’s outbreak preparedness and response, we admonish the population to remain calm, wash/sanitize your hands, avoid contact with suspected persons and animals, and also strongly advised to practice safe and protected sexual behaviour. The communities are also advised to report suspected cases of Mpox to the nearest health facilities and authorities.
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