The Leadership of the House of Representatives (HoR) has invited authorities at the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) to appear before the full plenary on today, Tuesday, May 20, to provide a comprehensive update on the reported outbreak of the Monkeypox virus in the country.
Already, four persons are being confirmed carrying the virus in the country.
The decision was reached during a leadership meeting held on Monday, May 19, following widespread media reports confirming the re-emergence of the virus in some parts of the country.
The House seeks to understand the current status of the outbreak, response strategies being implemented, and the level of NPHIL’s preparedness, and relevant health authorities to contain the spread and protect the public.
“We are concerned about the health and safety of our people. It is our duty as national leaders to ensure that our health institutions are not only prepared, but are actively taking measures to prevent further spread of Monkeypox,” a member of the House leadership stated shortly following the end of the meeting.
The appearance of NPHIL Director General, Dr. Dougbeh Nyan, before plenary will also provide lawmakers an opportunity to assess resource needs, inter-agency coordination, and public awareness strategies to be rolled out in response to the outbreak.
The House said it remains committed to supporting all national efforts aimed at safeguarding public health and urges citizens to remain calm, adhere to health protocols, and stay informed through credible sources.
Mpox (previously known as monkeypox) is a disease caused by a virus. It usually causes a rash and flu-like symptoms. The rash is similar to the one caused by a related virus, smallpox. Cases of Mpox happen regularly (it’s endemic) in parts of Africa, including Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone and La Cote D’ivoire. But outbreaks sometimes happen in other places around the world.
Mpox, formerly called monkeypox, is a disease similar to smallpox caused by a virus. It causes flu-like symptoms such as fever and chills, and a rash that can take weeks to clear. There’s no proven treatment for mpox, but it usually goes away on its own. Healthcare experts recommend getting vaccinated if you’re at higher risk for mpox.