The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) says since the beginning of 2024, Liberia has accounted for five confirmed cases of the Monkeypox virus (Mpox) in three counties and in recent times, new cases have been confirmed in neighboring countries like Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire in the region.
Though NPHIL did not name the counties in Liberia affected by the disease for proper awareness, it revealed that it was informed of an outbreak of Mpox in several countries of the WHO African Region, mainly in Central and West Africa.
This Mpox outbreak has been determined by the WHO to be a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR).
The Mpox is the disease caused by the Monkeypox virus which belongs to the same family as the virus that causes smallpox.
It is transmitted through various modes that include direct skin-to-skin contact, sexual contact with bodily fluids or lesions found around the anus, rectum, or vagina from an Mpox infected person, and through respiratory secretions and droplets, among others.
Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, among others.
Noting the nature of this outbreak and its rapid spread over several countries, the NPHIL will heighten its surveillance system, strengthen its outbreak preparedness plan and will work in collaboration with the Ministry of Health to activate measures and specific response mechanism so as to address any impending outbreak of Mpox in Liberia.
Meanwhile, the public is strongly advised to take the following preventive measures such as constant hand-washing, avoiding sex with persons suspected of having Mpox symptoms, avoiding close contact with persons suspected of Mpox symptoms, avoiding animal contact, and report to the nearest medical facility should you experience or observe any of the Mpox symptoms listed above.
