Sierra Leone declared a public health emergency on Monday to combat mpox, announcing it was stepping up surveillance at its borders after confirming two cases of the deadly viral disease.
“The confirmation of two cases of mpox in the country has prompted immediate action as mandated by the public health act,” Health Minister Austin Demby told reporters in Freetown.
“On behalf of the government of Sierra Leone, I am declaring a public health emergency.”
Last week Sierra Leone reported its first confirmed case of mpox since the world’s highest alert level for the disease was raised last year.