In Sierra Leone, a major mpox prevention campaign is being launched to target more than 1 million children and their families after the country reported its first cases of the potentially deadly virus. Meanwhile, there are concerns about high lead levels in children’s blood, indicating a need for more state funding to address both issues.
Mpox Outbreak in Sierra Leone: A Threat to Children
Sierra Leone declared a public health emergency on January 13 as it became the 21st African country dealing with mpox, with 12 recorded cases so far, and the first case confirmed on January 10. The arrival of mpox poses a significant threat to children in the country. Children are especially vulnerable to the new strain of the mpox virus, being nearly four times more likely to die from the disease than adults. The signs and symptoms of mpox are similar to some common childhood illnesses, which can lead to late recognition and treatment.
The Prevention Campaign in Full Swing
Save the Children is working with the Sierra Leone government to carry out the prevention campaign. They are training health workers, raising awareness among parents and community leaders about the transmission, prevention, and management of the disease, and distributing information materials in schools and health facilities. In addition, a series of radio jingles and discussions are being launched to spread the word about the virus.
Urgent Need for State Funding
With the mpox prevention campaign underway and the issue of high blood lead levels in children, there is an urgent need for more state funding. Funds are required to support the prevention campaign, including the purchase of medical supplies and the training of more health workers. For the problem of high blood lead levels, funds are needed for testing, treatment, and environmental remediation to protect the health of children.
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