Save the Children launches Mpox prevention campaign in Sierra Leone

SIERRA LEONE—Sierra Leone has launched an Mpox prevention campaign aimed at reaching over 1 million children and their families after the country recorded its first cases of the potentially deadly virus.

The government declared a public health emergency on January 13, making Sierra Leone the 21st African country to confront the outbreak.

As of now, the country has reported 12 cases, with the first confirmed case occurring on January 10.

In collaboration with the Sierra Leone government, Save the Children is focusing on training health workers and raising awareness among parents and community leaders.

The campaign emphasizes understanding the virus’s transmission, prevention, and management.

To ensure widespread access to vital information, Save the Children is distributing booklets and other materials in schools and health facilities.

Additionally, the organization is launching radio jingles and discussions to spread awareness and reach as many people as possible.

The challenge of managing Mpox comes on the heels of Sierra Leone’s experience with the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak, which devastated West Africa, including Sierra Leone, where nearly 4,000 people died, along with about 7% of the country’s health workers.

However, the country has made significant strides in disease prevention and management since then.

 In 2023, it became the first to launch a nationwide preventive Ebola vaccination program targeting 20,000 frontline workers.

Children are especially vulnerable to the Mpox virus, with the new strain posing a heightened risk.

Research shows that children are nearly four times more likely to die from Mpox than adults.

This risk is even greater for malnourished children in areas with poor sanitation and limited healthcare access, where testing and vaccination resources are scarce.

In many African countries affected by Mpox, children often face delays in diagnosis and treatment due to the disease’s symptoms resembling common childhood illnesses, such as scabies and chickenpox.

Mpox symptoms include fever, rash, and lesions, along with severe headaches and fatigue. In severe cases, it can lead to sepsis, a life-threatening condition.

Children may also experience respiratory problems and difficulty swallowing, increasing the likelihood of secondary bacterial infections.

By mid-August 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency as Mpox cases surged across Africa.

As of the end of the year, confirmed cases in Africa surpassed 15,000, with over 1,000 fatalities, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Save the Children’s Country Director for Sierra Leone, Patrick Analo, stressed the importance of the country’s efforts to prevent further spread of the disease.

He noted that while Sierra Leone has come a long way in disease control since the Ebola crisis, the government and Save the Children are committed to acting swiftly to safeguard the country’s children.

Analo emphasized that raising awareness and responding promptly are crucial to controlling the virus and ensuring the safety of Sierra Leone’s children.

Save the Children remains committed to supporting the Sierra Leone government in its efforts to fight Mpox and protect the health of its citizens, particularly children.

Having worked in Sierra Leone since 1999, Save the Children has focused on children’s rights, education, and healthcare, ensuring the well-being of the most vulnerable populations.

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