By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The Minister of Health, Dr. Austin H. Demby, has announced that Sierra Leone is targeting zero Mpox cases by October 2025. He made this disclosure Thursday, 14 August 2025, during a stakeholder engagement organized by the Directorate of Communications at the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Demby explained that the aim is not only to eliminate Mpox cases before October but also to sustain zero transmission beyond that period, particularly during the festive season when risks of resurgence are high. “The target is for us not just to record zero Mpox but to maintain it so that during Christmas and the festive season, cases will not rise again,” he said.
The minister outlined the strategy that has been developed to achieve the ambitious goal. He noted that whenever a case of Mpox is detected, the patient is immediately taken to a health facility to receive comprehensive care and support. Such a measure, he stressed, is critical both for the recovery of patients and for breaking the chains of household transmission. “By removing infected individuals from their homes, we can prevent them from further spreading the virus to family members,” he added.
Dr. Demby emphasized that the new approach is twofold. Firstly, it ensures that infected persons are extracted from the home environment and placed in facilities where they can be properly cared for. Secondly, it intensifies preventive measures within households and communities to stop secondary infections. According to him, since the introduction of this strategy, the country has witnessed a steady decline in cases week by week.
He made it clear that the Ministry is determined to trace and manage every single case of Mpox. “The task now is that for every case, we want to know it, and we want to make sure that person is brought to a facility for proper medical care,” he stressed.
While Freetown has been the epicenter of the outbreak, the Minister assured stakeholders that the strategy is being rolled out nationwide. He highlighted that even in districts, if a case is recorded, health workers will mount a swift and overwhelming response to contain it. The objective, he noted, is not only to achieve zero cases but also to sustain it for more than 42 days, which is the standard measure used to confirm that an outbreak has ended.
Dr. Demby acknowledged the crucial role of community participation in achieving this goal, stressing that the success of the strategy depends on citizens’ willingness to cooperate with health workers, report suspected cases, and adhere to preventive measures. He called on community leaders, civil society, and the media to continue working closely with the Ministry in raising awareness and ensuring that accurate information reaches households across the country.
The minister concluded by expressing confidence that with collective effort, Sierra Leone can reach the October target. “We have seen the impact of this strategy. Now we must remain vigilant and committed so that we can defeat Mpox and protect the health of our people,” he said.
