–NPHIL Confirms
By Jerromie S. Walters
MONROVIA – The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) has confirmed a total of 102 Mpox cases in the country since the start of the year, with 77 recoveries and 25 active cases remaining under medical supervision. NPHIL Director General Dr. Chris Nyan provided the update during the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism (MICAT) weekly press briefing, assuring the public that no deaths have been recorded so far.
Health officials have identified the circulating strain as Type 2 A.B., a less severe form of Mpox compared to the deadlier Type 1 (Congo Basin) variant. The virus spreads primarily through direct contact with infected individuals or contaminated materials such as bedding and towels, though Dr. Nyan clarified that sweat alone does not transmit the disease. Symptoms typically emerge within one to 14 days after exposure, though in rare cases, they may take up to 21 days to appear.
In a step to curb transmission, Liberia has received its first shipment of Mpox vaccines, which have been tested and confirmed safe for use. The vaccination campaign will initially prioritize healthcare workers and security personnel, who face the highest risk of exposure.
Meanwhile, neighboring Sierra Leone is grappling with a more severe outbreak, reporting 1,104 cases and 14 deaths since the virus first emerged there. The disparity in case numbers between the two countries highlights potential gaps in surveillance and reporting.
Liberian health authorities are urging the public to take precautions, including avoiding close contact with suspected cases, refraining from sharing personal items, and practicing good hand hygiene. Given Liberia’s past challenges with Ebola and COVID-19, NPHILsays it is strengthening surveillance and collaborating with regional partners like the West Africa Health Organization (WAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to prevent further spread.
Understanding Mpox:
Mpox, a viral zoonotic disease first identified in laboratory monkeys in 1958, has emerged as a growing public health challenge. The virus belongs to the same family as smallpox but causes generally milder symptoms. Historically confined to Central and West African rainforests, Mpox began attracting global attention in 2003 with outbreaks outside Africa and saw a dramatic worldwide surge in 2022, prompting the World Health Organization to declare a public health emergency.
The disease presents in two distinct clades: the more severe Congo Basin (Clade I) and the milder West African (Clade II), which includes the Type 2 A.B. strain currently circulating in Liberia. Transmission occurs primarily through close physical contact with infected individuals or contaminated materials, though unlike some respiratory viruses, it does not spread efficiently through airborne transmission. This characteristic has helped health authorities implement more targeted containment strategies.
Mpox typically manifests with flu-like symptoms including fever, headache, muscle aches, and exhaustion, followed by the distinctive rash that develops into pus-filled lesions. The incubation period ranges from 5 to 21 days, creating challenges for surveillance and containment. In Liberia’s current outbreak, health workers have been particularly vigilant about distinguishing Mpox from other rash-causing illnesses like chickenpox, which can complicate accurate diagnosis and reporting.
Diagnostic capabilities in West Africa have improved since the 2022 global outbreak, with Liberia now able to conduct PCR testing for confirmation. However, limited healthcare access in rural areas remains an obstacle to early detection and treatment. The World Health Organization has been supporting regional laboratories to enhance their capacity for rapid diagnosis and genomic sequencing to track viral evolution.
Regional Spread and Containment Efforts
The current West African outbreak presents concerning disparities, with Sierra Leone reporting significantly higher case numbers and mortality than Liberia. Epidemiologists attribute this variation to differences in surveillance systems, healthcare infrastructure, and possibly viral transmission patterns. Cross-border movement in the region raises concerns about continued spread, prompting coordinated response efforts through the West Africa Health Organization.
Liberia’s experience with previous outbreaks like Ebola has informed its response strategy, emphasizing rapid case identification, contact tracing, and community engagement. However, limited resources strain these efforts, with health workers balancing Mpox response against other ongoing health challenges including malaria and Lassa fever.
