The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) says it has recorded a total of six cases of Monkeypox infections in the country. Speaking Thursday, August 22, 2024 at the Ministry of Information regular press briefing, NPHIL Director General Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan said the affected counties include Bong, Nimba, Grand Kru and Maryland.
He said Monkey Pox is not new to Liberia and in the last three to four years, there have been about 30-33 cases recorded without any deaths reported. Dr. Nyan said the disease can be shared through person-to-person contact, naming, shaking hands, hugging and sleeping on the same bed sheets with affected persons.
He said signs and symptoms of monkeypox are fever, headache, muscle aches, amongst others. The NPHIL boss encouraged the public to separate sick persons from other family members and always wash hands with soap and clean water after touching animals or sick people.
He cautioned against touching of bedding, clothes, or other things that have been in contact with the sick person or animal and boil for 20 minutes any clothes or blanket used by a sick person. Dr. Nyan said Liberians should always keep their communities and around their homes cleaned from dirt so that animals that carry the sickness do not come around.
Meanwhile, he said people with signs and symptoms should go to the hospital or clinic quickly where medical practitioners can provide care for them. Dr. Nyan disclosed that the entity will be visiting the various ports of entry including the National Port Authority and Ganta Port of Entry, as NPHIL is working closely with the Ministry of Health and other partners to ensure the end of Monkeypox in the country.
