The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) has confirmed three (3) new cases of Mpox that have been diagnosed in Liberia.
In addition to the first two cases of Monkeypox diagnosed, these three new cases bring the total to five confirmed cases in Liberia.
The three (3) new cases of Mpox, according to NPHIL, were diagnosed in Liberia by the National Reference Laboratory of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL).
This brings the total number of positive confirmed cases in Liberia to five (5) 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 three new confirmed cases are from Lofa, Sinoe, and River Gee Counties, respectively.
NPHIL reports that this follows the timely launch of the National Incident Management System (IMS) at the headquarters of NPHIL last week, which has since begun mobilizing resources and coordinating the national response.
“Evidently, the current epidemiological trend of Mpox in Liberia, its pending biomolecular characterization, and existing guidelines classify this Mpox dynamic as an outbreak.”
The National Public Health Institute of Liberia, in a release, stated that NPHIL is collaborating with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and international partners as they proactively mount a response aimed at preventing the spread of the Monkeypox virus in the population.
The institution indicated that a team from NPHIL visited border entry points and assessed isolation centers in Nimba and Bong Counties to enhance preparations, increase contact tracing, and improve diagnostic procedures as the IMS responds to the sporadic cases of Mpox that are appearing in two opposite geographic locations of the country.
“As NPHIL has activated the National Incident Management System (IMS) and is coordinating and managing the country’s outbreak preparedness and response, we encourage the population to remain calm, wash and sanitize your hands, avoid contact with suspected persons and animals, and strongly advise practicing safe and protected sexual behavior.
Communities are also advised to report suspected cases of Mpox to the nearest health facilities and authorities,” the release stated.
