Sierra Leone: Health authorities call for calm over suspected hemorrhagic fever disease case

By Kemo Cham

Health authorities in Sierra Leone have said that there is no need to panic as they investigate a suspected case of a viral hemorrhagic fever disease.

The National Public Health Agency (NPHA) said that it has deployed a team of surveillance in the Eastern Kono District where a female health worker fell ill and later died in the capital, Freetown with symptoms similar to those common with Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (VHF).

“Routine investigations like these are an integral part of Sierra Leone’s Public health surveillance to ensure community safety,” the NPHA said in a statement dated Saturday, November 30^th and made public on Sunday, December 1^st.

VHFs are a group of illnesses caused by certain viruses that can damage the blood vessel and lead to bleeding and, if not quickly controlled, eventually death. These viruses include Ebola, Marburg, Lassa fever, and yellow fever. 

Sierra Leone is known to be endemic to Lassa Fever, especially in the Eastern part of the country.

Sierra Leone was also one of three Mano River Union countries severely affected by the world’s deadliest Ebola outbreak between 2014 and 2016, which claimed thousands of lives. Marburg viruses have also been detected in the country recently.  

The NPHA, the leading agency for preventing and controlling disease outbreak in the country, says it is well prepared to deal with the situation in the event that the case under investigation turns out to be any of these diseases.

According to reports, the victim was a 29-year old female doctor who worked at a public health facility where she fell ill and traveled to Freetown for treatment. She reportedly exhibited symptoms for VHF, including fever, weakness, vomiting and diarrhoea, before passing.

Other reports indicate that the patient had traveled to Liberia where she treated patients. Liberia is currently battling the Mpox epidemic. Although mpox is not categorized under VHF, they share some similar symptoms.

According to the NPHA, samples from the deceased are under investigation at one of the country’s top laboratories at the 34 Military Hospital. Suspected contacts of hers hav also been identified and her being monitored, the agency added.

“There is no immediate cause for concern. In the event of a confirmed VHF case, the NPHA and MoH (Ministry of Health) are well prepared to respond swiftly and effectively,” it stressed.