Sierra Leone Declares End to Mpox Outbreak Amid Survivor Stigma

Mpox Outbreak Declared Over

• 🇸🇱 Sierra Leone has officially declared the Mpox epidemic over after achieving over 42 days without a new confirmed case.
• 📈 The country reported over 5,400 cases and 60 deaths during the outbreak.
• ✅ This milestone signifies a strengthened public health response and a high recovery rate, approaching 99%.

Challenges for Survivors

• 😔 Despite the official end of the outbreak, survivors like Hana Bibu and Nelson Johnson face significant stigma and discrimination.
• 💔 Many survivors have been rejected by families, lost their jobs, and struggle with reintegration into society due to prejudice and mistrust.
• 🗣️ Nelson Johnson highlights the need for community outreach to educate people that survivors are no longer infectious.

Public Health Response and Future Needs

• 💉 Sierra Leone's response included a massive vaccination campaign and effective contact tracing schemes.
• 📣 The success of the outbreak control must now be supported by greater advocacy for survivors to help them move forward with their lives.