The National Public Health Instituted of Liberia (NPHIL) has confirmed three new cases of the Monkeypox viral infection, bringing the total number to 11 since the disease was declared as an outbreak by the international health authorities.
NPHIL Director General Dougbeh Chris Yahn told journalists at a news conference on Sunday, October 13, 2024, that two of these new cases were confirmed in Bong County while the other was discovered in Grand Bassa County.
He said the two cases in Bong involve a one-month-old baby as well as a two-year-old child; both mothers previously reported signs of the virus which resolved on its own. However, he said the mother of the one-month-old is currently on the run and cannot be found, but the institution still has the case being actively pursued.
Meanwhile, the NPHIL Director has announced that Liberia has recorded a different variant (Clade 2a) of the virus from what was initially discovered at the onset of the outbreak.
Three clades of mpox virus are recognized: Clade 1 is present in the Congo Basin, causes up to 10% human mortality, and is transmitted by rodents with little human-to-human spread; clade 2a exists in West Africa, has a low mortality, and is also a zoonosis.
Dr. Yahn said knowing the type of the virus in circulation is important so as to inform health authorities what specific type of vaccine would be required to address the case of an outbreak, as vaccine invented for one clade may not be very effective against another.
It can be recalled a local media reported on October 10 that authorities in Grand Bassa had confirmed the first case of Monkeypox (Mpox) in the county. The report said the County Health Team said that the individual was currently in isolation in the Zondo environment of District#4 as part of ongoing medical intervention strategies.
Dr. Jude Wesseh, County Health Officer, was quoted as saying, “We are taking this case very seriously and are implementing all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our community. Public awareness is key to preventing further transmission.”
In response to the confirmed case, health officials are ramping up public awareness campaigns to educate residents about the disease and its symptoms.
