Name: Sierra Leone declares end of Mpox outbreak
Uploaded: 2025-12-16T15:50:27.756Z
Duration: 2 min 13 s
Description: After 42 days with no new cases, Sierra Leone has declared its Mpox epidemic over, with all of the country’s 16 districts in the clear. But survivors face stigmatization and discrimination.

After 42 days with no new cases, Sierra Leone has declared its Mpox epidemic over, with all of the country’s 16 districts in the clear. But survivors face stigmatization and discrimination.

Freetown

Sierra Leone has announced the conclusion of its Mpox outbreak, which began in January and resulted in more than 5,000 infections. Authorities report that 99% of those infected have recovered, but survivors are still dealing with significant social stigma and challenges reintegrating into their communities.

The national response included case management, psychosocial support, logistics, and security, with a strong emphasis on addressing the psychological impact on survivors. Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a zoonotic disease transmitted from animals to humans and between people.

Sierra Leone declares end of Mpox outbreak

Nelson Johnson is a survivor of Sierra Leone's recent Mpox epidemic, but he says he and other survivors are now facing stigmatization and discrimination. So he's doing what he can to advocate against misinformation and help to educate his community. It's because maybe the person is being caused. It's because the person has a lot of boyfriend. This Mpox is not real or this Mpox is just a chicken pox. So you find out people are not ready to accept it. Unless when we decide now to go to the community and explain to them that I have been affected, I'm now a survivor, it doesn't mean that I can affect you again. So that is the only way people start believing that Mpox is real. Many survivors report being rejected by their families and struggling to reintegrate into their communities. It's not really easy for me. Since the outbreak began in January, more than 5,000 people were infected. 99% of them recovered. But they still need help. This response is not only focusing on case management. You find out that there are other pillars that were involved in this response. We have the psychosocial. We had also the logistical aspects, security. But the psychosocial case management were paramount. And we tried to make sure that we had all what it needs to combat the epidemic, the Mpox. Mpox, previously known as monkey pox, is a zoonotic disease transmitted from infected animals to humans and then from person to person.

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