By Lawrence Williams
A 32-year-old man has died of a suspected monkeypox infection in Sierra Leone, health authorities reported on Wednesday. Two other individuals have been quarantined.
The man, who began showing symptoms after returning from his farm on August 12, initially sought treatment at two community health centers in his village of Makong. As his condition worsened, he was transferred to the Dorma Wellbodi Clinic in Kono. A doctor there notified the district surveillance office.
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The National Public Health Agency (NPHA) said it dispatched a rapid response team to investigate the case. The team collected samples and transferred the patient to the Koidu Government Hospital’s isolation unit, where he later passed away. The deceased’s younger brother and mother-in-law are now under quarantine.
Meanwhile, an active search for potential contacts is underway in Tonkolili. Efforts are also being made to raise mpox awareness within the community.