Liberia Records Over 2,400 Suspected Mpox Cases as Health Ministry Launches New Vaccination and Response Drive
November 7, 2025
Liberia’s Ministry of Health has launched a 90-day national response strategy as mpox cases continue to rise across all 15 counties. Despite more than 1,100 recoveries and a low fatality rate of 0.5 percent, widespread community transmission persists, particularly in Montserrado and Nimba counties. The new plan emphasizes aggressive surveillance, treatment expansion, and public education, alongside a preventive vaccination campaign targeting high-risk populations. With 42,720 donated doses ready for rollout, officials aim to test, treat, and vaccinate efficiently while engaging communities to prevent further spread. Sustained vigilance and coordination will be crucial to achieving Liberia’s goal of zero preventable mpox deaths.
Liberia’s health authorities are intensifying efforts to contain the country’s growing mpox outbreak through a comprehensive 90-day national response strategy. Announced by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Catherine T. Cooper, the plan comes amid a worrying rise in infections despite earlier progress in surveillance and case management. Since the outbreak began in September 2024, Liberia has confirmed 1,308 mpox cases out of 2,447 suspected, with active transmission now documented in 65 of 98 health districts. Montserrado County remains the epicenter, accounting for more than half of all active cases.
The new strategy focuses on rapid case detection, expanded treatment capacity, and community-level engagement to strengthen prevention and early reporting. Surveillance teams will intensify active case finding, while isolation and home-based care will continue for mild infections. The Liberia Center for Infectious Disease Hospital will receive additional laboratory and diagnostic resources, and health workers will undergo refresher training on mpox treatment and infection control.
A preventive ring vaccination campaign will begin in Montserrado and other hotspots, targeting high-risk adults. Supported by the U.S. CDC, Africa CDC, GAVI, UNICEF, and CEPI, Liberia recently received 42,720 doses of mpox vaccine. The Ministry aims to administer all doses by January 2026 while ensuring that awareness campaigns reach 80 percent of the population.
Daily coordination meetings under the Incident Management System have resumed to address logistical and operational challenges, including cold chain and fuel shortages. The government’s overarching goals are to detect 90 percent of suspected cases within 48 hours, deliver timely lab results, and achieve zero preventable mpox deaths.
Dr. Cooper stressed that Liberia stands at a critical juncture and urged citizens to unite behind prevention and vaccination efforts. The response plan reflects both urgency and optimism, combining national leadership with international support to move the country closer to ending mpox transmission.