By: Problyn J. Alpha
Koidu City, Kono District, Dr. Mohamed Gbessay Sheku, District Medical Officer (DMO) of Kono, has described the district as one of the highest-risk areas in Sierra Leone’s ongoing fight against the Mpox virus. He made this statement during a one-day stakeholder engagement held at the District Health Management Team (DHMT) Conference Hall in Koidu City.
The meeting was organized by the National Public Health Agency (NPHA) in collaboration with the DHMT. It aimed to strengthen coordination between political and local leadership in combating the spread of Mpox in Kono and across the country.
The event brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from World Vision, Handicap International, elected officials, traditional leaders, and the media.
Dr. Sheku revealed that Kono District has so far recorded 67 suspected cases, of which 47 were confirmed positive. Of these confirmed cases, 24 were men and 23 were women. He further reported that:
2% of the cases were children under 15, 4% were pregnant women.
He expressed concern about the health of pregnant women battling the virus, revealing that one had suffered a spontaneous abortion, while another remains critically ill posing serious risks to the unborn child.
Providing a national overview, Dr. Sheku stated that as of the latest count, Sierra Leone had recorded 3,420 confirmed Mpox cases: 1,625 were active cases, 1,779 recoveries, 16 deaths.
Breakdown by district: Western Area Urban: 2,105 cases, Western Area Rural: 695 cases, Bombali: 188 cases, Kenema: 71 cases, Port Loko: 107 cases, Kono: 47 cases
Others: lower case counts across Bonthe, Bo, Kambia, Tonkolili, Kailahun, Koinadugu, Moyamba, Karene, Falaba, and Pujehun.
Dr. Sheku emphasized the significant challenges faced by the health sector in responding to the outbreak, including: Inadequate medical equipment and drugs, limited fuel for contact tracing, poor infrastructure, lack of support for frontline health workers.
He encouraged the public to uphold personal hygiene, social distancing, and safe sexual practices, noting that Mpox can be transmitted not only through body contact but also through sexual intercourse.
Abubakarr Sesay, representing the National Public Health Agency, echoed the importance of collaboration highlighting it as a key strategy during the Ebola and COVID-19 outbreaks. He stated that the government has provided 400 treatment beds across Hastings, the 34 Military Hospital, and Connaught Hospital. Plans are underway to establish a similar facility at Calaba Town Hospital, especially as over 90% of Mpox cases have been recorded in Western Area Urban.
Mr. Sesay also disclosed that the first batch of 60,000 Mpox vaccine doses has already been administered. While the vaccine does not prevent infection, it helps the body fight the virus more effectively if contracted.
He urged the public to avoid home treatment and visit health facilities promptly if symptoms emerge.
Speaking at the engagement, Mariama Kia Fornah, CEO of Moving Women Organisation, pointed out Sierra Leone’s recurring pattern of pandemics approximately every five years Ebola in 2014, COVID-19 in 2019, and now Mpox in 2025. She called for collective action, stressing that “Mpox can only be defeated through collaboration and unified efforts.”