By Grace Q. Bryant
The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) has reassured the public of its ongoing efforts to monitor and control the spread of monkeypox within the country.
Speaking at a regular press briefing organized by the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism (MICAT), NPHIL boss Dougbeh Chris Nyan provided a comprehensive overview of the monkeypox virus and the steps being taken to prevent an outbreak.
Director Nyan clarified that monkeypox, often confused with smallpox and chickenpox, is part of the same virus family as smallpox but is distinctly different from chickenpox.
He stressed the importance of this distinction to reduce public confusion.
He elaborated on the modes of transmission, noting that monkeypox spreads primarily through direct contact with an infected person, including physical touch, sharing bedding, and other close interactions. While it is not classified as a sexually transmitted disease, transmission rates have been observed to be higher among men who have sex with men in some parts of the world. The virus can also be passed from mother to child.
Director Nyan outlined the symptoms of monkeypox, which include fever, headache, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes and also described the external manifestations, such as blisters or bumps on the skin, particularly on the palms and other parts of the body.
“Monkeypox is a self-limiting disease, meaning it can resolve on its own over time,” Director Nyan said.
However, he urged the public not to rely solely on this but to seek medical attention immediately if the symptoms appeared.
He recounted a recent case in which a woman from Caldwell suspected she and her children had contracted Monkeypox; after a swift response from the NPHIL team, it was determined they were suffering from scabies, a different skin condition.
Since 2016, Liberia has recorded a total of 33 monkeypox cases, with six reported in 2024 alone. Importantly, there have been no fatalities associated with these cases. “To date, Liberia has a zero percent fatality rate for monkeypox,” Director Nyan said, reassuring the public of the effectiveness of the country’s response measures.
The primary focus remains on preventing transmission through close contact in communal settings, such as shared sleeping spaces and handshakes.
NPHIL has intensified its surveillance and monitoring efforts, particularly at the nation’s borders and major ports of entry. “Our concern is to prevent cross-border transmission, as we learned from the Ebola and COVID-19 outbreaks,” Director Nyan noted.
He outlined steps taken at Roberts International Airport, where passengers are triaged based on their country of origin and assessed for symptoms.
NPHIL is also collaborating with international partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and USAID. These collaborations are crucial in strengthening Liberia’s public health response capabilities.
Director Nyan urged the public to remain vigilant, practice good hygiene, and follow preventive measures such as regular hand washing and the use of sanitizers.
“The public should maintain hygiene practices such as frequent hand washing and the use of hand sanitizers, which became widespread during the Ebola and COVID-19 outbreaks. Social distancing, especially avoiding handshakes and other close contacts, is also recommended,” he stressed.
He also called on the media to help disseminate accurate information about monkeypox and the ongoing efforts to control its spread in Liberia.
The National Public Health Institute and the Ministry of Health continue to work closely to ensure the safety and well-being of the Liberian population in the face of this public health challenge.
