Situational context
Mpox is a zoonotic viral disease transmitted from animal to human with symptoms lasting between 14 and 21 days. Severe cases occur more commonly among children and those with pre-existing health conditions. However, the case fatality rate varies widely between epidemics but has been less than 10% in documented events, mostly among young children (WHO, Mpox 2024 fact sheet).
On August 13th and 14th, 2024 respectively, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa
CDC) and the World Health Organization declared the Mpox outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security and a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) due to increase in the number of cases reported across the African continent and parts of Europe.
As of August 30, 2024, thirteen (13) member states of the Africa Union (AU), including Liberia, reported 5356 confirmed cases including 32 deaths. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains the most affected country in the African region with 90% of reported confirmed cases (WHO Regional bulletin, August 30, 2024).
Mpox is one of the immediately reportable priority diseases in Liberia. Since 2016, sporadic cases have been reported across the country. Between 2022 and12th of September 2024, 419 suspected cases, including 38 laboratory-confirmed cases have been reported, with no death recorded.
