Sierra Leone is making significant progress in its fight against the recent surge of mpox infections, according to new data from the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). The nation saw a notable 20% decrease in confirmed cases in the week ending June 24 (Week 24), with 256 new cases reported, down from 319 in Week 23. Suspected cases also dropped by 21%, from 357 to 282, indicating a promising decline in overall notifications.
Dr. Yap Boum, Deputy Head of the Incident Management Support Team at Africa CDC, praised these figures, emphasizing the downward trend in disease transmission within Sierra Leone. While this momentum is encouraging, experts caution that continued vigilance is essential. Africa CDC noted that surveillance remains largely passive, with over 80% test positivity rates, suggesting that many diagnoses occur only after symptoms have become severe.
Sierra Leone, like many other African nations, is still contending with mpox outbreaks. However, the combination of declining cases and expanding vaccination efforts offers a hopeful perspective. With support from Africa CDC, Gavi, and UNICEF, Sierra Leone has received mpox vaccine supplies and is prioritizing at-risk groups, including healthcare workers.
For Sierra Leone, this means that mpox infections have fallen significantly week over week. To further suppress transmission, continued active testing, contact tracing, and vaccination are crucial. Authorities are urged to enhance surveillance, particularly in early detection, and to build on the current vaccination momentum to drive case numbers down even further. Public health officials across West Africa will be closely monitoring Sierra Leone’s progress, as its integrated approach to passive and active surveillance, vaccination campaigns, and community engagement could serve as a vital model for sustainable mpox suppression in the region.