Sinoe County Takes Proactive Measure to Swiftly Combat Monkey-Pox Outbreak in Jedepo

Jedepo, Sinoe County: As the Monkey Pox virus appears to threaten public health safety in Southeastern Liberia, local authorities in Sinoe County have launched an aggressive, proactive emergency response in Jedepo District.

The intervention signal the Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), alertness in preventing a localized outbreak from becoming a wider crisis.

A dedicated response team is already on the ground in Nekree, one of the affected communities in Jedepo. The team is executing critical tasks such as case investigation, patient monitoring, and contact tracing, an essential step in halting the transmission of Mpox.

Reinforcing this effort, a specialized health team was deployed today, composed of health experts in surveillance, case management, laboratory diagnostics, risk communication, and psychosocial support.

This strategic deployment reflects the Ministry of Health’s full activation of its emergency response infrastructure in partnership with the County Health Team.

The ministry’s approach is clear: move fast, coordinate closely, and engage communities directly. By combining technical capacity with grassroots outreach, health authorities aim to isolate cases, control infections, and deliver lifesaving information before the disease spreads further into the population.

Meanwhile, mass awareness campaigns are underway across Greenville City and other areas across Sinoe County.

Schools were among the first targets, with health educators holding sessions with students and teachers on how Mpox spreads and what symptoms to watch for. Educational posters, radio messages, and flyers have been distributed as part of this robust communication effort.

The outreach is expanding rapidly as Churches, Mosques, markets, and transport hubs are now focal points of public messaging. The goal is to create awareness among citizens in the fight against Mpox. In high-risk zones like Jedepo, this campaign is also helping to break stigma and encourage early reporting of symptoms.

Health officials are particularly concerned about the Jedepo belt, where suspected cases have emerged and traditional beliefs often hinder prompt medical intervention. In response, the health team is working closely with local chiefs, elders, and youth leaders to build trust and ensure communities take ownership of their health response.

“This is not just about treating a disease—it’s about protecting lives, restoring confidence, and acting before it is too late,” said one frontline health worker.

This statement underscores a broader understanding that fighting an outbreak requires more than medicine; it requires leadership, unity, and urgency.

The public is reminded that Mpox symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, muscle aches, and a characteristic rash. Anyone displaying these signs is strongly urged to report to the nearest health facility and avoid close contact with others.

With surveillance heightened and medical teams fully mobilized, Sinoe County’s response to Mpox is now in full swing as authorities remain on high alert, vowing to use every tool available to contain the outbreak, protect communities, and prevent a national health emergency.