MONROVIA – As Liberia continues to monitor the Mpox situation within its borders, Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, Director-General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), has taken to social media to issue a strong warning and call for preventive action. On Saturday evening, June 21, 2025, Dr. Nyan used his personal platforms to urge Liberians to remain vigilant amid encouraging news of declining cases.
In his post, Dr. Nyan updated the public on the current status of the outbreak, reporting that the number of active Mpox cases has dropped to 25, with 150 individuals now recovered. Most notably, he confirmed that there have been no deaths recorded in Liberia. Emphasizing the importance of continued vigilance, he urged citizens to wash and sanitize their hands regularly, avoid contact with individuals suspected of infection, and immediately report any suspected cases to the nearest health facility.
“STOP MPOX!” Dr. Nyan concluded, reinforcing his call for collective national responsibility. His post was met with a wave of support from citizens and admirers online. Leo Cummings commented, “Honorable director, u strong, chief. Keep flying high. 17 continents got nothing on u.” Another supporter, Monkaryeh Wondan, wrote, “I love your courage. You’re truly a veteran of SUP. Dear Printiss Domah, please make it possible for me to meet Dr. Nyan before the year ends.” Abraham D. Jackson humorously added, “Keywords, ‘Stop MPOX!’ Dougbeh Chris Nyan and problem that 5&6 hahhahahha.”
The public health message follows the conclusion of a major regional workshop hosted in Monrovia by NPHIL in collaboration with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). Held from June 18–20 at the Cape Hotel, the workshop focused on Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) in response to Mpox outbreaks across West Africa. The event brought together public health professionals from all 15 ECOWAS member states and featured the participation of Dr. Alinon Kokou, Regional Director of the Africa CDC.
Workshop participants emphasized the critical role of accurate, timely communication in improving disease surveillance, coordinating responses, and building public trust during health emergencies. The meeting also served as a platform to evaluate existing RCCE frameworks and share best practices for strengthening preparedness and response capabilities.
Dr. Nyan, a distinguished medical doctor and infectious disease expert, is widely known for his contributions to global health. A recipient of the 2017 African Innovation Prize for Social Impact, he has developed affordable diagnostic tools for detecting infectious diseases and led efforts during the Ebola crisis through the Diaspora Task Force, including expert testimony before the U.S. Congress.
His research is widely published in journals such as Scientific Reports and Clinical Infectious Diseases. Beyond his scientific contributions, Dr. Nyan remains one of Liberia’s most vocal and proactive public health advocates, using both his expertise and platform to safeguard public health and raise awareness in times of crisis.
