FREETOWN, Sierra Leone — Authorities have declared the Mpox epidemic officially over, ending a two-year health emergency that saw more than 5,000 infections and 60 fatalities nationwide. The announcement comes nearly a year after Sierra Leone confirmed its first cases outside the capital.
While the outbreak has been contained, survivors say they continue to face widespread stigma and discrimination. Many report being rejected by families, losing jobs, and struggling to reintegrate into their communities due to misinformation and fear.
Activist Nelson Johnson, who recovered in May, has been raising awareness through the Sierra Leone Epidemic Action Network, stressing that advocacy against misinformation is key to ending stigma. Survivor Hannah Abibu described being left homeless and unemployed after her diagnosis, saying: “Things are not easy for me. Even a place to sleep, I don’t have. Food to eat, I don’t have.”
Health officials note that 99% of patients recovered, but psychosocial support remains critical. Dr. John Abu Bakarr Conteh of the FCC Mpox Treatment Center emphasized that case management alone was insufficient, highlighting the importance of psychosocial care and community education.
The epidemic was marked by unusual cases of genital lesions, which fueled stigma and complicated efforts to break chains of transmission. Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a zoonotic disease spread from animals to humans and through human-to-human contact.