NPHIL Clarifies Monkeypox Situation, Says Media Reports On Sinoe County Outbreak Inaccurate

By Catherine K Conteh

Amidst simmering speculations about a Monkeypox outbreak in Sinoe County, the Director General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, has termed the reports about the outbreak as untrue.

Speaking during a press briefing on Monday, September 2, 2024, at the NPHIL headquarters in Congo Town, Dr. Nyan emphasized that the reports were inaccurate, leading to unnecessary public alarm in Sinoe and Liberia at large.

He clarified that the reported cases in Sinoe County were not confirmed cases of monkeypox, but rather suspected cases that have since been tested and found to be negative.

 “Within the last 24 to 72 hours, five reported cases in Sinoe County have been tested, and all were negative. These were suspected cases, not confirmed ones,” he stated, stressing the importance of precise reporting on public health matters.

Director Nyan urged the media to exercise caution in their reporting, particularly when distinguishing between "suspected" and "confirmed" cases, and warned that misinformation could create panic and undermine public health efforts.

However, while dispelling the rumors surrounding Sinoe County, Dr. Nyan did confirm Liberia’s first official case of monkeypox since the World Health Organization (WHO) and Africa CDC declared the disease a health situation of international concern.

He mentioned that the confirmed case involves a seven-year-old girl in Sinoe County with no travel history, highlighting the potential for community transmission.

The NPHIL official indicated that the institution has since activated contact tracing protocols and is closely monitoring individuals who may have been in contact with the patient, noting that one of the victim’s relatives is currently being tested as a suspected case.

He reassured the public that the institute, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other agencies, is taking all necessary steps to manage and contain the situation.

Dr. Nyan also highlighted Liberia's long history of monitoring monkeypox, dating back to the 1970s, and emphasized that the country has been vigilant in recent months, especially given the global rise in cases.

He credited Liberia’s surveillance and response systems, which were in place even before the international declaration, for the country’s ability to swiftly address potential threats.

Dr. Nyan revealed that considering the situation, NPHIL has established a national incident management system (IMS) to coordinate response efforts across the country.

Meanwhile, Dr. Nyan called on the press to ensure accurate and responsible reporting moving forward, reiterating that the public needs to be well-informed rather than misled.

“We are open to any questions and will continue to provide updates as the situation evolves,” Dr. Nyan concluded, noting that further briefings from NPHIL and the Ministry of Health are expected in the coming days as Liberia continues to monitor and address the monkeypox situation.