Monrovia, Liberia – A number of West African countries are currently experiencing a monkeypox outbreak. The director general of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) has stressed the critical necessity for early preventive measures to be taken.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency of worldwide significance earlier this month in accordance with the worldwide Health Regulations after reports of an outbreak of the monkeypox virus in multiple countries in the region surfaced.
Within three counties in Liberia, five possible cases of the virus have been documented. The availability of therapeutic options for individuals afflicted with monkeypox was confirmed by Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan during a special press briefing held following the induction ceremony of the Director General and Deputy Director General for Administration.
Dr. Nyan emphasized that symptoms usually appear two to fourteen days following exposure. He clarified that person-to-person contact and maternal transfer are the main routes of transmission, highlighting the significance of cautious public health measures in light of the socioeconomic dynamics of the nation.
He pointed out that although there have been suspected cases of monkeypox in Liberia since May of this year, no deaths have been reported.
According to the new NPHIL Boss, the organization has been improving its ability to handle health emergencies since the Ebola outbreak and is now concentrating on differentiating monkeypox from other illnesses by working with many partners.
The Ministry of Health and NPHIL are collaborating extensively to establish a pandemic response system at the county and community levels.
He emphasized how important it is to keep an eye on Liberia’s main entry points, especially in light of the growing number of cases in nearby nations like Ivory Coast, where the WHO has recently reported cases, as well as Nigeria, the Central African Republic, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, all of which are still dealing with serious health issues.
The increase in coronavirus cases in the US during this winter season, especially in California and the eastern states, was mentioned by Dr. Nyan.
He emphasized that the institution is keeping a close eye on the situation in order to produce safety instructions for visitors entering Liberia and underscore the importance of adhering to health rules as soon as possible.
Reported by: Simeon S. Wiakanty
Contact: +231881538878
