Sierra Leone has recorded a total of 2,045 confirmed cases of mpox since the start of the year, with 11 reported deaths, according to a new report released by the country’s Ministry of Health. The latest figures, unveiled late Monday, include 165 new cases reported just on Sunday.
At the beginning of May, health officials had confirmed nine deaths and 1,140 cases, highlighting a sharp and worrying spike in infections within just two weeks.
In response to the growing health crisis, Health Minister Dr. Austin Demby met with the Indian High Commissioner on Tuesday to request 100,000 doses of mpox vaccines to help contain the outbreak.
“We have a state problem on our hands,” Demby told lawmakers during a parliamentary session. Reflecting on the country’s past resilience, he added, “We survived Ebola, we managed Covid, and we will overcome mpox too.”