The Mpox Pandemic Has Ended in Sierra Leone, But Survivors Still Suffer Prejudice

After a two-year health emergency that saw over 5,000 cases and 60 fatalities, Sierra Leone declared its Mpox outbreak to be resolved. The news was made about a year after Sierra Leone declared a Mpox emergency following the confirmation of two viral cases outside the country’s capital, Freetown.

However, survivors are nonetheless unable to go on with their lives and are stigmatized by their culture. Mpox survivors claim they continue to experience pervasive stigma and discrimination even after they have recovered. Due in large part to false information, fear, and skepticism of public health messages, many report experiencing rejection from their families, losing their jobs, and having difficulty reintegrating into their communities.

In an effort to combat the stigma faced by survivors, Nelson Johnson, who recovered in May, began raising awareness in June through the Sierra Leone Epidemic Action Network. He claims that the first step in eradicating the stigma is to advocate against false information. For me, things are difficult. I don’t even have a place to sleep. I have nothing to eat. When they found out I had Mpox, they wouldn’t let me go back to work. I’ve been looking for work up until now.

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