By: Godgift Harris
Liberia’s health sector faces growing scrutiny as the Ministry of Health has disclosed a disturbing surge in Mpox infections nationwide, with more than 2,400 suspected cases and over 1,300 confirmed infections since September 2024.
Despite government assurances of progress, critics say the latest outbreak exposes lingering weaknesses in the country’s public health system and its capacity to respond to emerging diseases.
In a situation update released on November 7, 2025, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Catherine T. Cooper, confirmed that the virus remains active in multiple counties despite ongoing interventions in surveillance, case management, and public awareness.
The ministry’s data revealed a positivity rate of 56.6 percent, signaling widespread community transmission that has reached 65 of Liberia’s 98 health districts.
Montserrado County remains the epicenter, accounting for 57 percent of active cases, especially in the Bushrod, Central Monrovia, and Somalia Drive corridors densely populated and often lacking consistent healthcare access.
Nimba County follows with 18 percent, Margibi with 7 percent, and Grand Bassa with 5 percent.
While the ministry reported 1,154 recoveries and a relatively low fatality rate of 0.5 percent, health experts warn that the apparent success masks serious systemic gaps, including limited testing capacity, inadequate funding for surveillance, and slow response in rural areas.
“The numbers might appear encouraging, but we are still seeing delays in case detection, testing, and treatment, particularly in remote districts,” one public health worker told journalists on condition of anonymity.
“If the government doesn’t sustain community engagement and supply chain logistics, the situation could worsen.”
To counter the spread, the ministry has launched a 90-day national response strategy, pledging to strengthen surveillance, expand treatment capacity, and intensify public education.
Under this plan, the Liberia Center for Infectious Disease Hospital will receive new diagnostic equipment and medical supplies, while health workers undergo refresher training on Mpox management.
However, the response raises concerns about funding and execution.
Liberia’s healthcare delivery system remains heavily donor-dependent, and questions linger about whether the ministry can effectively coordinate logistics, ensure vaccine cold chain maintenance, and reach underserved communities.
As part of the strategy, the ministry will roll out a preventive ring vaccination campaign in Montserrado and other hotspots beginning in December 2025, targeting adults, 18 years and above.
The campaign follows Liberia’s receipt of 42,720 vaccine doses from an international consortium including US CDC, Africa CDC, GAVI, and UNICEF.
While the initiative has been welcomed, civil society groups argue that the government’s slow communication and lack of transparency have contributed to misinformation and public fear.
“Communities need more than statistics; they need consistent education and trust,” said a health advocate in Kakata.
“People are still confused about how Mpox spreads and how they can protect themselves.”
The ministry said it aims to test all suspected cases within 48 hours, achieve zero preventable deaths and vaccinate all high-risk populations by January 2026.
It has also reactivated its Incident Management System for daily coordination meetings and weekly audits of infection prevention in hospitals.
However, as Liberia battles this new wave of Mpox, many question whether the lessons of the Ebola and COVID-19 crises have truly strengthened the nation’s health system.
With active cases continuing to rise and community transmission widening, the government’s response will determine not just the fate of this outbreak, but the credibility of its public health leadership.
Accordingly, 2,447 suspected cases nationwide, 1,308 confirmed positive 56.6% positivity rate, 1,154 recoveries; 6 deaths (0.5%)
Hence, 57% of active cases in Montserrado County, 42,720 Mpox vaccine doses received targeting adults 18+, National 90-day response plan launched Nov 2025–Jan 2026.