Freetown erupted in renewed confidence this week as Sierra Leone marked a significant public health milestone, combining institutional growth with a hard-won disease control success. The country officially declared itself free from Mpox while commemorating the second anniversary of the National Public Health Agency (NPHA), an institution now firmly positioned at the heart of national health security.
The declaration, made in Freetown on December 15, 2025, reflects months of sustained surveillance, community engagement, and coordinated emergency response across the country. Health authorities confirmed that all sixteen districts have surpassed the World Health Organization’s benchmark of 42 consecutive days without a new Mpox case many exceeding five months without infection.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Health Dr. Austin Demby described the moment as a turning point in Sierra Leone’s public health journey. He noted that the NPHA, though only two years old, has rapidly evolved into a central pillar for outbreak preparedness and response. According to him, the agency has transformed how health threats are detected, reported, and contained nationwide.
Dr. Demby highlighted that the Mpox response demonstrated the effectiveness of coordination between government institutions, frontline health workers, and development partners. He stressed that the success was not accidental but the result of deliberate investments in surveillance systems, emergency operations, and human capacity.
During the outbreak, Sierra Leone recorded 5,442 confirmed Mpox cases. Despite the scale of transmission, health authorities achieved a remarkable 99 percent recovery rate, with a low case fatality rate of 1.1 percent. These outcomes, officials say, underline the strength of early detection, timely isolation, and quality case management.
A nationwide vaccination campaign played a critical role in controlling the outbreak. More than 186,000 people considered at high risk including healthcare workers were vaccinated, while over 22,500 contacts were traced and monitored. Laboratory capacity was also expanded, increasing diagnostic sites from a limited number to nine facilities spread across the country, significantly reducing testing turnaround times.
Beyond the statistics, officials emphasized the role of communities in defeating the disease. Public awareness campaigns, local leadership involvement, and household-level outreach helped counter misinformation and encouraged early reporting of symptoms. This “whole-of-society” approach, led by the NPHA, is now being promoted as a model for addressing future health threats.
As the NPHA enters its third year, the government has pledged continued support to strengthen public health infrastructure and preparedness. Dr. Demby called for sustained vigilance, warning that global health threats remain unpredictable and that complacency could reverse hard-earned gains.
The joint celebration of the NPHA’s anniversary and the Mpox-free declaration sends a powerful signal both domestically and internationally. It reflects a growing national capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to outbreaks, while reinforcing public trust in Sierra Leone’s health institutions.
For many observers, the moment represents more than a victory over one disease it is evidence that with strong institutions, community cooperation, and sustained political will, Sierra Leone can confront public health challenges with confidence and resilience.