US Supports Govt’s Gains Against Mpox

In a significant boost to Sierra Leone’s public health campaign, the United States Government has donated an additional 67,000 doses of Mpox vaccine to the nation’s Ministry of Health. The delivery, received in Freetown, arrives at a pivotal moment in the country’s efforts to eliminate the virus, providing critical resources to consolidate the dramatic progress already made and push toward a full declaration of zero cases. The consignment was formally accepted by the Health and Sanitation Minister, Dr. Austin Demby, who expressed profound gratitude for the sustained American support, highlighting its role in the national strategy to end the outbreak.

This latest contribution brings the total number of vaccine doses secured from international partners to 267,000, all supplied entirely free of charge. The expanded access to immunization has been directly credited with the sharp and encouraging decline in daily infection rates. Minister Demby provided a powerful illustration of this success, noting that active cases have plummeted from a peak of over 2,000 just a few months ago, to a mere 63 at present. “This shows the progress made,” he stated, “but now is the time to be cautiously optimistic. These vaccines will be key to achieving our ultimate goal of zero cases.”

Sierra Leone first confirmed cases of Mpox, formerly known as Monkeypox, in 2024. The viral disease, which spreads through close physical contact, contaminated materials, and in some instances, animals, prompted the government to initiate emergency health measures. In response, the Ministry of Health, with crucial support from the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other global partners, launched a multi-faceted counteroffensive. This comprehensive strategy included nationwide vaccination campaigns targeting high-risk populations, extensive public awareness drives to educate citizens on transmission and prevention, and a significant strengthening of the country’s disease surveillance systems to quickly identify and isolate new cases.

The results of these concerted efforts are now becoming vividly clear, with some recent days recording no new infections at all. However, government officials and health experts are unanimously advocating for continued public vigilance. Even as community transmission slows to a trickle, the risk of resurgence remains. Authorities are urgently encouraging all eligible individuals to complete their full vaccination schedules and to steadfastly maintain hygiene practices such as regular handwashing and avoiding contact with potentially contaminated materials. The message is clear: this hard-won ground can only be held and the outbreak fully concluded through a sustained collective effort, making this latest donation of vaccines an essential tool to finish the fight.