ACCRA, GHANA – Liberia, through the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), actively participated in the Africa CDC Continental Mpox Surveillance Workshop held from October 2 to 4, 2025, in Accra, Ghana, a high-level gathering aimed at strengthening the continent’s capacity to detect and respond to mpox and other emerging infectious diseases.
Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, Director-General of NPHIL, who led Liberia’s delegation, highlighted the significance of the workshop on his official Facebook page, noting that the event culminated in the development of an African-centered draft guideline document outlining strategies, approaches, and actions to combat mpox and future outbreaks. “Last Day and Session of the Africa CDC Continental Mpox Surveillance Workshop, culminating in an African-centered draft Guideline-Document on Strategies, Approaches and Actions in the fight against this and future Mpox outbreak,” Dr. Nyan wrote, emphasizing Liberia’s contributions in sharing its experiences, challenges, best practices, and successes.
The workshop, jointly hosted by the Africa CDC and Ghana Health Service, brought together public health leaders, laboratory experts, border health officers, and partners from across Africa. Participants worked to harmonize mpox reporting and case definitions, expand diagnostic and genomic sequencing capacities, strengthen cross-border surveillance and community engagement, and develop national and regional action plans for faster outbreak detection and control.
Liberia’s delegation, led by Dr. Nyan and including Dr. Ralph Jetoh, Director of the Division of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology (DIDE) at NPHIL, actively presented Liberia’s public health strategies, highlighting successes in outbreak management and routine monitoring. Their participation underscored Liberia’s commitment to early detection, rapid response, and sustainable health security.
“The Africa CDC Continental Mpox Workshop demonstrates Africa’s determination to strengthen health security through collaboration, information sharing, and the development of Afrocentric guidelines that reflect the continent’s unique epidemiological realities,” Dr. Nyan said.
Liberia’s involvement in the workshop illustrates the country’s growing role in continental public health initiatives, as well as its proactive approach to addressing mpox, measles, Lassa fever, and other infectious threats. Dr. Nyan and his team continue to advocate for strengthened surveillance, enhanced diagnostic capacity, and regional coordination to prevent and contain outbreaks effectively.
#StopMpox #FightMeasles #PreventLassa
