Sierra Leone's Surge in Mpox Cases Sparks Public Health Concerns

Sierra Leone is at the center of Africa's mpox outbreak, accounting for half of the continent's cases this week. The viral infection, spread through close contact, has seen a dramatic rise in the country, prompting calls for improved funding, contact tracing, and laboratory capacity to control the situation.

Sierra Leone has become the focal point of Africa's current mpox outbreak, with the nation responsible for half of the continent's confirmed cases this week, according to Africa's leading health body. The viral infection spreads through close contact and typically results in flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions.

The World Health Organization described the situation as a public health emergency as the number of cases continues to climb and the disease spreads geographically. This week, Africa CDC reported that Sierra Leone documented 384 confirmed cases, making up 50.7% of all cases across Africa.

With a 63% increase in cases noted within just a week in Sierra Leone, officials emphasize funding as a crucial hurdle. Ngashi Ngongo of the Africa CDC highlighted the dire need for better contact tracing and enhanced laboratory capacity, noting that the country's treatment centers have only 60 beds for 800 active cases. Last year, it was reported that efforts to battle mpox were grossly underfunded, a challenge exacerbated by proposed U.S. funding cuts earlier this year.

(With inputs from agencies.)