MONROVIA, LIBERIA – The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) has confirmed three new Mpox cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to five 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 in mid-August 2024. The new cases, confirmed by the National Reference Laboratory, are from Lofa, Sinoe, and River Gee Counties, according to a press release issued on Thursday, September 12, 2024, by NPHIL Director-General Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan.
This development follows the recent launch of the National Incident Management System (IMS), which has begun coordinating national response efforts and mobilizing resources. According to NPHIL, the current epidemiological trend of Mpox, alongside pending biomolecular characterization and existing health guidelines, classifies the situation as an outbreak. NPHIL is working closely with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and international partners to contain the virus and prevent its spread.
In response, NPHIL teams have assessed isolation centers and border-entry points in Nimba and Bong Counties to bolster contact tracing, enhance diagnostic capabilities, and prepare for potential new cases. Dr. Nyan advised the public to remain calm and follow preventive measures, including handwashing, avoiding contact with suspected cases, and practicing safe sexual behavior. Communities are encouraged to report suspected cases to nearby health facilities.
Meanwhile, the Liberian House of Representatives has allocated between US$500,000 and US$1.5 million as part of the 2024 Recast Budget to combat the escalating Mpox outbreak. The funds will be directed to NPHIL for an aggressive response to the outbreak and public health initiatives. The allocation follows a communication from Representative Julie F. Wiah, Chairperson of the Health Committee, reporting confirmed and suspected cases in Lofa and Sinoe Counties. Representative Dixon Seboe, Chair of the House Committee on Ways, Means, Finance, and Development Planning, stressed the importance of utilizing the funds effectively to contain the outbreak and ensure public safety.
The funds will support critical activities, including equitable interventions, containment strategies, and the distribution of educational materials to affected communities. The initiative is aimed at preventing further spread of Mpox, which has affected over 51,000 individuals globally, including in Liberia.
