EU Health Task Force deploys ECDC experts to Sierra Leone to support the mpox outbreak response
August 15, 2025
Sierra Leone is mobilizing against its mpox outbreak with targeted international support. A two-week mission has deployed an epidemiologist and a risk communicator to work alongside the Ministry of Health, Africa CDC, and local leaders. Their work focuses on outbreak investigation, data-driven strategies, and culturally tailored public health messaging. Paramount chiefs and district councils are also engaged to build trust and strengthen community responses. As the country reviews its three-month Action Plan, sustained collaboration between technical experts and local stakeholders will be vital. Success in Sierra Leone could provide a model for effective, community-based outbreak control across Africa.
Sierra Leone’s fight against mpox has entered a decisive phase, marked by a two-week mission that underscores the value of international collaboration and community engagement. With the Ministry of Health and National Public Health Agency reviewing their three-month Action Plan, technical experts are now embedded within the response. An epidemiologist is spearheading detailed outbreak investigations, analyzing data, and generating actionable insights to guide national strategy. At the same time, a risk communicator is working to develop culturally appropriate health messaging, conduct knowledge and attitudes research, and strengthen communication networks from the national to the district level.
This mission is not operating in isolation. Paramount chiefs, district councils, and development partners are central to the response, ensuring that interventions are both technically sound and socially accepted. Public trust is a cornerstone of outbreak control, particularly in settings where misinformation and stigma can undermine health campaigns. By aligning national leadership with community structures, Sierra Leone is building resilience while addressing the immediate crisis.
International partners, including Africa CDC and the EU Delegation in Freetown, are providing critical technical and logistical backing. Yet Sierra Leone’s approach highlights that effective outbreak response depends on more than resources alone. Evidence-based strategies, clear communication, and cultural sensitivity are equally essential in containing mpox and protecting vulnerable populations.
As the outbreak evolves, the country’s ability to sustain these coordinated efforts will determine whether short-term gains translate into long-term control. Sierra Leone’s experience may serve as a template for other nations grappling with mpox: technical expertise combined with community-led engagement can transform response capacity. The coming weeks will reveal whether this integrated approach can halt transmission and prevent wider regional spread.