Sierra Leone has significantly bolstered its capacity for mpox outbreak response and genomic surveillance through a comprehensive training workshop held at the Central Public Health Reference Laboratory (CPHRL) in Freetown from June 23rd to 27th, 2025.
This strategic initiative, themed “Strengthening Genomic Surveillance Capacity for mpox Response in Sierra Leone,” received vital technical and financial backing from the World Health Organization (WHO AFRO and WHO Sierra Leone). The program trained 15 participants, including laboratory scientists, public health professionals, and epidemiologists from across the nation.
Despite over 4,400 confirmed mpox cases reported in Sierra Leone by June 27th, only approximately 2.5% (108 sequences) have undergone genomic characterization. This disparity significantly limits the understanding of viral evolution and the implementation of targeted public health interventions. While existing genomic data is deposited in international repositories like Pathoplexus, GISAID, and NCBI Virus, the gap between outbreak detection and genomic data generation hinders real-time surveillance.
Recognizing this critical need, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) and the Sierra Leone National Public Health Agency (SLNPHA) have prioritized strengthening genomic surveillance to enable rapid outbreak detection, track viral transmission, and inform policy decisions. Allan Campbell, Laboratory Lead at CPHRL, emphasized the workshop’s significance, stating, “This marks a pivotal moment in Sierra Leone’s national response to mpox. The initiative addresses the substantial bioinformatics capacity gap and establishes a foundation for sustainable genomic surveillance that can directly inform public health actions.” The training aligns with the WHO African Region (AFRO) Joint Continental mpox Response Plan 2.0, which emphasizes intensification, integration, and establishing a sustainable legacy in genomic epidemiology.
The week-long workshop featured a multidisciplinary, hands-on approach, combining didactic instruction with practical exercises and group data analysis.
Walter Oguta, WHO AFRO EPI Analytics Specialist and the Lead Bioinformatics Trainer, highlighted the practical outcome: “Translating genomic data into actionable public health strategies is the ultimate goal. Our aim was to equip participants with both technical proficiency and confidence to utilize these tools effectively.”
Doris Harding, Laboratory Pillar Lead at the SLNPHA, emphasized the broader implications: “Strengthening our capacity for genomic surveillance is no longer optional—it is essential. This initiative empowers our scientists to respond more effectively to mpox and other emerging pathogens.” Jonathan Greene, WHO Sierra Leone Laboratory Lead, echoed this, asserting, “Building a skilled, locally capable workforce is central to WHO’s strategy for resilient health systems. The use of genomics is transforming outbreak intelligence, enabling a shift from reactive to proactive responses.”
Dr. Ameh George, WHO Representative in Sierra Leone, underscored the strategic importance of institutionalizing genomic surveillance, stating, “Genomics is redefining outbreak science. Sierra Leone must lead in generating and utilizing genomic data to inform policy and strengthen global health security. WHO remains committed to supporting this transformation.”
Participants and stakeholders universally agreed that this training represents a crucial long-term investment in Sierra Leone’s epidemic preparedness, response, and resilience. By decentralizing sequencing capabilities and integrating genomic data into national decision-making, the program aims to bolster regional efforts for early detection and rapid response to outbreaks.
The workshop concluded with a certificate ceremony and a networking session, designed to foster continued collaboration and innovation in public health genomics. As Sierra Leone advances its surveillance infrastructure, the overarching objective is to transform genomic data from an underutilized resource into a central pillar of outbreak response and epidemic intelligence, thereby strengthening both national and regional health security.
ABJ/APA