MONROVIA, LIBERIA – The Director-General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, disclosed today, Monday, September 2, 2024, that Liberia has confirmed its first Mpox case since the virus was declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
Addressing the media at the NPHIL headquarters in Congo Town, Dr. Nyan revealed that the confirmed case is a seven-year-old girl from Jeadepo, Dodrukon, Sinoe County. He emphasized that the Incident Management System (IMS), which is responsible for mobilizing resources and coordinating the response to outbreaks, has been activated to handle the situation effectively.
“We have activated our response mechanisms across the country, and our focus remains on protecting all residents within our borders,” Dr. Nyan stated. He also assured that the Communication Division of NPHIL would provide regular updates to the public as the situation develops, urging Liberians to adhere to public health measures to mitigate the spread of the virus.
Dr. Nyan outlined Liberia’s preparedness in light of the global and regional spread of Mpox, emphasizing that the country had already begun setting up surveillance and response mechanisms before the WHO and Africa CDC declarations. He noted that Liberia’s proactive stance stems from its experiences with past outbreaks, such as Ebola and COVID-19, where delayed responses had significant consequences.
“Over two weeks ago, the WHO and Africa CDC declared Mpox a health situation of international concern, prompting countries to activate their preparedness and response systems,” Dr. Nyan said. “However, in Liberia, we had already been monitoring and preparing for potential outbreaks, recognizing the importance of a proactive approach.”
He highlighted that Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, has been present in Liberia since the 1970s, with intermittent detections and minor outbreaks. The current global situation, particularly in African countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Ghana, emphasizes the urgency for vigilance due to extensive travel and trade within the region.
Reflecting on Liberia’s past experiences with infectious disease outbreaks, Dr. Nyan stressed the importance of remaining vigilant and prepared. “We are determined not to repeat the mistakes of the past. With Ebola, we were caught off guard, and with COVID-19, there was a tendency to relax our guard. This time, we are taking a different approach.”
Dr. Nyan concluded by reiterating NPHIL’s commitment to safeguarding public health in Liberia and maintaining transparency throughout the management of this public health threat. “We are vigilant, prepared, and ready to act to ensure that Liberia remains safe from the potential spread of Mpox. We encourage all Liberians to follow public health guidelines and stay informed through official channels.”
The press conference ended with Dr. Nyan fielding questions from journalists, stressing the importance of public cooperation and adherence to health protocols in managing the Mpox situation in Liberia.
