Mpox Suspect Dies, Two Quarantined in Tonkolili District

A suspected case of Mpox has resulted in the death of a 32-year-old man in Makong village, Konikay Sanda chiefdom, Tonkolili district. 

Two close contacts of the deceased, his mother-in-law and younger brother, have been quarantined as a precautionary measure.

The Kono District Surveillance Office was alerted to the case on August 20th after the victim, who had returned from his farm on August 12th, presented with symptoms including fever, lesions, red raised bumps, pus-filled blisters, muscle pain, headache, joint pain, and weakness. 

A Rapid Response Team, comprised of the District Surveillance Officer, Clinicians, and a Laboratory Technician, was dispatched to investigate. They collected a sample from the victim and evacuated him to the Koidu Government Hospital Isolation Unit. Tragically, the patient passed away the same day.

Samples have been collected for shipment to a laboratory for confirmation, while preparations are underway to set up an Isolation Unit. 

The country's Public Health Agency is monitoring the situation closely and urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases promptly.