Sierra Leone Confirms 6 Deaths and 85 New Mpox Cases Amid Ongoing Outbreak
Rising Cases and Regional Impact
Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health has reported six additional deaths and 85 new Mpox cases, bringing the total confirmed cases to 763 since the outbreak began in January 2025. The Western Area remains the epicenter, with 129 cases in the Rural District and 470 in the Western Urban region.
District-Specific Case Breakdown
Other affected districts include:
- Bo City: 4 cases
- Bombali: 12 cases
- Kenema: 4 cases
- Port Loko: 8 cases
- Kono District: 3 cases
No cases have been reported in Bonthe, Falaba, Kailahun, or Koinadugu districts.
Gender Disparity and Public Health Response
The outbreak shows a gender disparity, with 427 male cases compared to 336 female cases. Health authorities have declared a public health emergency, implementing enhanced surveillance and community engagement measures.
Historical Context and Vaccination Efforts
Mpox has been endemic in Sierra Leone since 1970. The Health Ministry is vaccinating healthcare workers and first responders to contain the outbreak. Experts warn that complacency could lead to effects similar to the devastating 2014 Ebola outbreak.
Emergency Contact Information
The public is urged to report suspected cases to the toll-free emergency number: 117.