Liberia Launches 90-Day Offensive to Halt Escalating Mpox Outbreak
MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Confronting a surge in urban transmission of the Mpox virus, Liberia’s health authorities have declared a state of heightened alert. The Ministry of Health (MoH) and the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), in concert with global partners, have rolled out a comprehensive 90-day strategy designed to break the chain of infection and protect vulnerable communities.
Dr. Catherine T. Cooper, Liberia’s Chief Medical Officer, issued a stark warning, stating that without immediate and decisive intervention, the outbreak could overwhelm the nation’s healthcare infrastructure. “The spread of Mpox will continue to escalate, putting lives, health systems, and communities at serious risk,” Dr. Cooper emphasized during a press briefing on Friday, November 7, 2025.
A Multi-Pronged National Response
The newly unveiled strategy hinges on several critical pillars. A primary focus is the aggressive pursuit of active cases, ensuring all confirmed individuals are swiftly moved into designated treatment centers or managed through supervised home-based care. This, officials believe, is key to timely intervention and reducing community spread.
“We will enhance services at the Liberia Center for Infectious Disease Hospital by providing essential medical supplies, diagnostic tools, and equipment,” Dr. Cooper explained. The plan also includes refresher training for frontline clinicians on managing Mpox complications, supported by simplified diagnostic tools and job aids.
Recognizing that information is a powerful vaccine against fear, the strategy places a heavy emphasis on Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE). The aim is to empower local leaders, market associations, and youth networks to become champions for early reporting and the adoption of safe behaviors, including heightened awareness of transmission risks.
Ring Vaccination Campaign Targets Hotspots
In a significant move to build immunity where it’s needed most, health officials announced a preventive ring vaccination campaign. This initiative will initially roll out in Montserrado County and other high-risk areas witnessing significant case numbers and sustained transmission.
The vaccination drive will commence with public awareness activities in November 2025, with the actual administration of doses scheduled to begin in the first week of December and run through February 2026. The campaign is targeting all Liberians aged 18 and older as part of the broader effort to curb the virus’s rapid advance.
This ambitious effort is bolstered by a generous donation of 42,720 Mpox vaccine doses from a consortium of international allies, including the U.S. CDC, Africa CDC, GAVI, UNICEF, and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).
The Scale of the Outbreak
The urgency of the response is underscored by the latest epidemiological data. During the most recent reporting period, a staggering 2,447 suspected cases were recorded across 15 counties, affecting 65 out of 98 health districts.
Of the 2,309 samples tested from these suspected cases, 1,308 returned positive, yielding a cumulative positivity rate of 56.6%. “This indicates significant ongoing community transmission,” Dr. Cooper stated, painting a clear picture of the virus’s entrenched presence.
Currently, 148 active Mpox cases are under clinical care in hospitals, isolation facilities, and home-based settings. The outbreak is disproportionately affecting Montserrado County, which accounts for 57% of the active caseload, primarily in the Bushrod and Commonwealth areas. Significant impacts are also being felt in Nimba (18%), Margibi (7%), Grand Bassa (5%), and Grand Kru (4%) counties.
Glimmers of Hope Amid the Challenge
Despite the concerning spread, there are positive indicators. Recovery efforts have proven largely successful, with 1,154 patients reported to have fully recovered after treatment and clinical follow-up.
To date, Liberia has reported six deaths attributable to Mpox, resulting in a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 0.5%. Health authorities point to this relatively low CFR as evidence that enhanced surveillance, improved case management, and public awareness initiatives are having a tangible effect.
The Road Ahead: Ambitious Targets for 2026
The 90-day plan sets forth clear and measurable goals. By the end of January 2026, the ministry aims to investigate 90% of suspected Mpox cases within 24 to 48 hours and ensure 100% of collected samples are tested with results available within two days.
A central objective is to achieve zero preventable Mpox deaths by boosting ICU capacity, integrating care for co-infections like HIV, and providing robust mental health and nutritional support. The parallel goal is to administer all 42,720 donated vaccine doses to high-risk populations in priority districts.
Through targeted RCCE interventions, the government hopes to achieve 80% national awareness of safe practices and early care-seeking, particularly in hotspot counties, by January 2026. Yet, as Dr. Cooper cautioned, the continued emergence of new cases is a stark reminder that sustained vigilance, community cooperation, and adequate resources are the only path to finally stopping the spread.
Source: Original reporting from the Ministry of Health, Liberia.