Congo Town: Health authorities in Liberia have called for calm amid the resurgence of Monkey Pox (Mpox) cases in the country.
On Sunday, May 18, 2025, the National Public Health Institute of Liberia, through its Director General, Dr. Dougbeh Chris-Nyan, confirmed four active cases of Mpox. The four cases are reported from three counties: Montserrado County (two cases), Margibi County (one case), and Sinoe County (one case).
According to Dr. Nyan, the government and partners, including the World Health Organization and the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (African CDC), are working collaboratively to control and eliminate the virus. He added, “Liberia has no deaths”.
Dr. Nyan further noted that NPHIL is working with the health authorities in Sierra Leone and Guinea to minimize cross-border transmission.
Notwithstanding, the NPHIL Director-General has admonished Liberians and foreign nationals to adhere to all public safety measures to prevent the further spread of the virus.,
Meanwhile, the Director of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Yuah Nemah, has disclosed that Liberia has received Mpox vaccines from the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention. According to Dr. Nemah, the Mpox vaccine is administered under strict protocol, targeting individuals infected with the virus. The African CDC-donated vaccines will also be administered to high-risk individuals, including frontline health workers and security personnel.
Dr. Nemah asserted that over 2, 000 persons in Grand Cape Mount, Grand Bassa and Sinoe Counties have been vaccinated against the Mpox virus; while deployment, community engagement and awareness campaigns have begun in Montserrado, Margibi and Lofa Counties.
The vaccines, according to Dr. Nemah, are part of the government’s response strategies to curb the human- to- human transmission.
Monkey Pox, What is it?
Monkey Pox or Mpox is a rare viral disease caused by the Monkey pox virus, which is part of the same family of viruses as smallpox. Common symptoms of the Mpox virus include: fever, headache, muscle aches, chills, and fatigue. It can transmitted through close contact with infected person’s skin, body fluids, or droplets from cough.
According to health experts, Monkey pox can be prevent through avoiding physical contacts with infected individuals or animals; good hygiene and disinfecting contaminated items, and vaccination.
