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The Mpox outbreak is repeatedly making headlines with cases coming up from across the world. In a recent development, Sierra Leone, a West African country, has declared a public health emergency after two cases of mpox were reported.
Health Minister Austin Demby announced on Monday that the country is facing a public health emergency and stressed on the urgency to address this viral outbreak as per the directives of the country’s Public Health Act.
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Growing Threat Of A Public Outbreak
After the confirmation of the second Mpox case in the country, Health Minister Austin Demby decided to go public with the announcement. He said, “The confirmation of two cases of mpox in the country has prompted immediate action as mandated by the Public Health Act,” He also added, “On behalf of the government of Sierra Leone, I am declaring a public health emergency.”
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There’s an ongoing battle against Mpox in the African continent that has posed significant challenges for both the public as well as the administration. With the first case detected in Sierra Leone last week, the country has officially made its entry into this battle against this viral infection.
Details Of The Reported Cases
The second case was confirmed when a 21-year-old individual came with symptoms on January 6, 2025. As per the Health Ministry, the individual showed the classic symptoms of Mpox and subsequent testing led to the confirmation of the infection.
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It is also noted that in both the cases, there hasn’t been any recent travel history or any kind of contact with infected animals or other sick individuals. This inconsistency between the infections and possible transmission routes raises concerns and underscores the need for increased surveillance and rapid response measures.
Understanding Mpox
As per Dr Subhash Gupta, Chairperson of Red Cross Society, Ghaziabad, Mpox is a zoonotic disease caused by the Mpox virus. It is primarily transmitted when an individual comes into contact with an infected animals, sick individuals or contaminated materials.
According to Dr Shivam Sharma, Head of Department and Consultant, Department-Internal Medicine and Diabetology, SHALBY Sanar International Hospitals, initial symptoms include a rash and swollen lymph nodes around the neck area and armpits. Along with that, blister-like lesions start to form around the trunk and spread all over the body including face, arms and legs.
Call For Regional And Global Cooperation
The emergence of mpox in the countries in African continent underscores the importance of regional and global cooperation in combating infections like these. In order to mitigate the impact of mpox and other such outbreaks, it is pivotal to initiate collaborative efforts in research, public health preparedness and vaccine distribution.
As countries navigate through this public health crisis, it is important to understand the importance of swift and coordinated response to curb the outbreak and ensure the safety and well-being of the citizens.