Sierra Leone is currently grappling with an outbreak of Clade II mpox, a strain of the monkeypox virus associated with West Africa. As of 17 July 2025, active transmission has been recorded across several districts, with both men and women aged 20 to 39 among the most affected.
Health authorities have confirmed that the virus is spreading through close contact, including intimate interactions. The World Health Organisation (WHO) identified the strain as Clade II during an update on 11 July 2025, confirming that human-to-human transmission is a key concern.
Public Health Emergency Declared
The country’s response was activated earlier this year when the Minister of Health, Dr Austin Demby, declared mpox a public health emergency on 16 January 2025, following two confirmed cases in different districts.
In response, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has provided support in Freetown, Kenema, Bombali, and Tonkolili, while UNICEF, in partnership with Gavi, delivered 58,000 vaccine doses by March 2025. An additional 50,000 doses have since been secured, bringing the total vaccine supply from Gavi to nearly 110,000.
Ongoing Challenges in Containment
Although case numbers have shown signs of decline in recent weeks, health experts have cautioned against overinterpreting this trend due to potential delays in case reporting. Vaccination is currently recommended for travellers to Sierra Leone who may be at risk of exposure.
The standard vaccination protocol involves two doses of the JYNNEOS® vaccine, spaced 28 days apart. However, the country continues to face critical gaps in vaccine availability, disease surveillance, case management, and public awareness.
International Support Still Needed
Despite local efforts, the broader mpox outbreak remains a global health concern. On 9 June 2025, the WHO maintained its classification of the mpox upsurge as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), following a review by the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee.
Ongoing funding shortages are also straining response efforts, affecting staffing levels and laboratory capacity. Of the estimated $145 million (about R2.56 billion) required for a coordinated global response, much remains unfunded.
This situation underscores the urgent need for sustained international investment, enhanced cooperation, and long-term support to control the outbreak and prevent future health emergencies.
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