By Bill W. Cooper
The Director-General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), Dougbeh Chris Nyan, has addressed concerns regarding a reported outbreak of viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) in neighboring Sierra Leone.
Dr. Nyan, during a press conference yesterday, December 11, 2024, at his NPHIL office in Congo Town, emphasized that there is currently “no viral hemorrhagic fever outbreak in Sierra Leone or Liberia,” thus alleviating the fears among the public and health officials.
However, his clarification comes in response to circulating reports, especially from officials of the John F. Kennedy (JFK) Hospital, suggesting a potential outbreak in neighboring Sierra Leone, raising alarms about the possibility of the disease crossing borders into Liberia.
The suspected case of VHF in Sierra Leone raised alarms throughout the region, and Dr. Nyan’s statement reflected a growing urgency in the collective response.
According to Dr. Sahr, the test results for the suspected case were “indeterminate,” and several individuals who had been in contact with the deceased were undergoing a 21-day observation period.
Despite the uncertainty of the test results, both NPHIL and NPHA have committed to strengthening regional surveillance and cooperation to address the potential public health threat in safety of both Sierra Leone and Liberia.
But the NPHIL, during the press interaction also reassured the citizenry that the NPHIL is closely monitoring the situation and has implemented robust surveillance measures to detect any unusual health patterns.
“We are in constant communication with our counterparts in Sierra Leone, evidence to various exchanges of communication, and I firmly say as of now, there are no confirmed cases of viral hemorrhagic fever in either country.
But again, we remain vigilant and prepared to respond swiftly should the situation change. So, stay calm! Do not panic! We are on top of our game and fully prepared just in case but to date, no VHF in any of the two countries,” he maintained.
Dr. Nyan also revealed that NPHIL had activated its Port Health and Epidemiological surveillance systems along major border crossing points in the northwest of Liberia, and noted, “These enhanced measures, initiated since the previous week, aim to prevent any possible outbreak of the deadly virus.”
The NPHIL Boss also disclosed that he had been in direct communication with the Executive Director of Sierra Leone’s National Public Health Agency (NPHA), Foday Sahr, to ensure a joint approach to managing the situation and preventing any spread across borders.
Underscoring the collaborative efforts between Liberia and Sierra Leone to tackle the potential threat, he asserted, “We are closely monitoring the situation in Sierra Leone, and our surveillance measures are robust.”
Nyan at the same time emphasized the commitment of NPHIL to regional public health security and reaffirmed Liberia’s dedication to preventing the spread of the virus, thus requesting additional information on the contacts identified in the Sierra Leonean case and any further test results, particularly from the 34 Military Hospital, a critical health facility in Sierra Leone.
He concluded by urging Liberians to observe regular infection control measures, including frequent handwashing, avoiding physical contact with suspected cases, and seeking medical attention at the nearest health facility if any symptoms of viral hemorrhagic fever emerge.
Dr. Nyan has therefore announced the reactivation of the government hygienic practices by the continuous washing of hands and the usage of hand sanitizers at various borders of entry into Liberia.
