MONROVIA, LIBERIA – OCTOBER 13, 2024 – Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, Director General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), confirmed the circulation of the Monkeypox Clade-IIa virus in Liberia. This announcement follows molecular genetic sequencing results that revealed the presence of this variant in the country. The confirmation was made public on Sunday, October 13, 2024, during a press conference at the NPHIL headquarters in Congo Town, Monrovia.
NPHIL’s National Reference Laboratory (NRL) has detected three new Mpox cases, bringing Liberia’s total to 17 confirmed cases in 2024, with 11 identified since the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declared Mpox a public health emergency in mid-August. Twelve individuals have recovered, with no deaths recorded, while five cases remain active.
The genomic sequencing that confirmed the Clade-IIa virus was performed by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC). This collaborative effort, facilitated by the NIH-PREVAIL-Liberia program and the WHO-Liberia Country Office, marks a significant milestone in Liberia’s public health response to Mpox.
“Identifying the presence of the Mpox Clade-IIa virus in Liberia offers crucial insight into the virus’s genomic epidemiology. This informs our strategies around diagnostics, vaccination, and how the virus spreads, whether from animal to human or human to human,” said Dr. Nyan during his remarks.
He acknowledged that while Liberia has dealt with poxvirus outbreaks in the past, this international emergency demands heightened vigilance. “During the Ebola and COVID-19 outbreaks, we were not fully prepared, but today we have mechanisms in place. We are being proactive to address the current Mpox outbreak, learning from our past experiences,” Dr. Nyan added.
Liberia’s response to the Mpox outbreak has involved extensive training for epidemiological teams across the country, supported by partners such as USAID, WHO, Africa CDC, and the U.S. CDC. These teams are being trained in outbreak response, sample collection, and sequencing techniques. The ongoing sequencing training is enabling Liberia to enhance its in-country capacity to detect and analyze the genetic variants of viruses like Monkeypox.
The recent three confirmed cases include two young children—a two-year-old and a one-month-old baby from Bong County—who contracted the virus from their mothers, who had visible symptoms of Mpox, including rashes and pustules. Dr. Nyan emphasized the importance of avoiding close contact with infected individuals to prevent the spread of the virus.
“Though Monkeypox is often self-limiting, relying on the body’s immune response, we urge people not to stay home if they suspect they have symptoms. Instead, they should seek immediate medical care to prevent further transmission,” Dr. Nyan advised.
NPHIL continues to manage multiple public health emergencies, including outbreaks of Lassa fever, measles, and rubella. Dr. Nyan called on Liberians to remain calm, practice good hygiene, avoid close contact with animals or suspected Mpox cases, and engage in safe sexual practices to minimize the risk of transmission. He also urged communities to report any suspected cases to local health authorities immediately.
As Liberia’s National Incident Management System (IMS) coordinates the country’s response to the Mpox outbreak, Dr. Nyan assured the public that NPHIL, in collaboration with international partners, is mobilizing the necessary resources to control the virus’s spread.
Liberia’s proactive measures to address the Monkeypox Clade-IIa outbreak emphasize the country’s evolving capabilities in public health preparedness. With 17 confirmed cases to date, the government is urging citizens to remain vigilant as NPHIL and its partners work to contain the virus and prevent further spread.
