The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) says it has confirmed additional three cases of Monkeypox bringing to five the total number of infections in the country.
In a release dated Thursday, September 12, 2024, NPHIL said the new cases were confirmed after specimens of the infected persons were tested at its National Reference Laboratory.
“This brings to five the number of positive confirmed cases in Liberia since the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (ACDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern about three weeks ago in mid-August, 2024,” the release said.
NPHIL disclosed that the three new cases are from Lofa, Sinoe, and River Gee Counties, respectively, and this follows the timely launch of the National Incident Management System (IMS) at the Headquarters of the NPHIL last week which has since begun mobilizing resources and coordinating the national response.
This means that the current epidemiological trend of Monkeypox in Liberia, its pending biomolecular characterization, and existing guidelines equate this Monkeypox dynamic to an outbreak.
NPHIL is now collaborating with the Ministry of Health and International Partners to proactively mount the response aimed at preventing the spread of the virus among the population.
“Last weekend, an NPHIL Team visited border-entry points and assessed isolation centers in Nimba and Bong Counties to heightened preparations, increase contact tracing, and enhance diagnostic procedures as the IMS responds to the sporadic cases of Mpox that are appearing in two opposite geographic locations of the country,” the NPHIL release said.
The public health body said the National Incident Management System (IMS) is coordinating and managing the country’s outbreak preparedness and response, and admonish the population to remain calm, wash/sanitize their hands, avoid contact with suspected persons and animals, and are strongly advised to practice safe and protected sexual behaviour.
Meanwhile, the communities are also advised to report suspected cases of Monkeypox to the nearest health facilities and authorities.
