The European Union Health Task Force (EUHTF) has deployed two experts from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) to Sierra Leone to support the country’s response to the ongoing mpox clade IIb outbreak.
The experts, an epidemiologist and a risk communicator, arrived in Freetown through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) managed by DG ECHO. Their two-week mission comes at a critical time as the Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Agency (NPHA) review their three-month action plan aimed at containing and ending the outbreak.
The epidemiologist is providing technical assistance on outbreak investigations, detailed data analysis and situation assessments to generate evidence-based strategies for the national response. The risk communicator, meanwhile, is supporting the development of culturally tailored public health messages, strengthening communication capacity at both national and district levels and contributing to knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) studies.
Working closely with the Ministry of Health, Africa CDC and with the support of the EU Delegation in Freetown, the experts are also engaging with paramount chiefs, district councils, local health professionals and development partners to ensure a coordinated response.
According to health officials, that collaborative effort underscores the importance of international partnerships in tackling public health threats and protecting communities across Sierra Leone.
