Sierra Leone: recent disease outbreaks
Sources checked
Recent reports
Measles — confirmed outbreak and national response (cases reported across multiple districts)
The National Public Health Agency and Ministry of Health declared a measles outbreak on 13 May 2026 after laboratory-confirmed cases were reported from multiple districts (including Western Area Urban/Freetown, Port Loko, Bombali, Tonkolili, Bo, Kenema and Kono). IFRC (DREF) report on Sierra Leone measles, 1 Jun 2026. Health teams have used case finding, ring vaccination and strengthened infection‑prevention measures as part of the response, and WHO supported integrated surveillance and immunization activities in late August 2026. WHO AFRO report, 1 Sep 2026. Why it matters to travellers: measles spreads easily by respiratory droplets and airborne particles; nonimmune travellers can be infected rapidly in areas with active transmission. Public authorities and international travel health guidance advise travellers to confirm they are fully immune (routine MMR schedule complete, or documented evidence of immunity) before travel. CDC travel health: Sierra Leone (measles guidance).
Sierra Leone Health Travel Portal and point‑of‑entry screening (new entry requirement)
The National Public Health Agency and Ministry of Health launched a mandatory Sierra Leone Health Travel Portal for inbound and outbound travellers; the portal requires completion of an online health declaration within 72 hours before travel and generates a confirmation/QR code that travellers should retain for inspection. Sierra Leone Health Travel Portal (poep.npha.gov.sl). The launch and accompanying travel advisory were announced by the NPHA and Ministry of Health in June 2026. NPHA press release, 5 Jun 2026. Several foreign government travel pages note that travellers may be required to undergo screening on arrival and that failure to complete the form can cause delays or refusal to board/enter. UK Foreign Travel Advice — entry requirements. Travellers should complete the portal registration and health declaration as instructed before departing for Sierra Leone and keep the confirmation available at check‑in and arrival.
Cutaneous‑ulcer outbreak (Haemophilus ducreyi) — Bombali and nearby areas (documented outbreak; published analysis)
A cluster of lower‑limb cutaneous ulcers affecting schoolchildren in Bombali District (with cases also in Tonkolili) was investigated from late 2025; molecular and PCR testing reported Haemophilus ducreyi as the primary agent. A detailed outbreak investigation and clinical description were published in October 2026. The report describes onset in December 2025 with peaks through January–February 2026 and most cases recorded as recovered by early February 2026. Emerging Infectious Diseases (CDC): Haemophilus ducreyi causing cutaneous‑ulcer outbreak — Oct 2026. Why it matters to travellers: the published investigation indicates the event was concentrated among school‑age children in specific chiefdoms and was not described as an ongoing national epidemic by the time of publication. Travellers in or near affected localities should take ordinary precautions to avoid skin injuries, avoid direct contact with open ulcers, and seek local medical care for any suspicious skin lesions; the outbreak report notes skin trauma as a common route for lesion development. EID outbreak report.
Mpox — large 2024–2025 epidemic (declared over nationally in December 2025); post‑outbreak surveillance
Sierra Leone experienced a large mpox epidemic beginning in 2024–2025; the Ministry of Health/NPHA declared the national mpox response concluded after meeting WHO criteria for 42 consecutive days without a confirmed case (announcement in December 2025). Ministry of Health: mpox declared over, Dec 2025. WHO external situation reporting and recent peer‑reviewed analyses published in 2026 document the magnitude of the event and highlight ongoing surveillance and health‑system recovery activities. WHO mpox external situation report (selected). Why it matters to travellers: at the time of the national declaration there was no active sustained transmission reported inside Sierra Leone. However, international surveillance and academic analyses note that public health services remain vigilant and that clinicians continue to monitor for new cases; travellers who develop a new rash or systemic symptoms should seek medical assessment and report recent travel. MoH/NPHA announcement.
These reports are a snapshot of official and public health literature and news checked on 27 October 2026. Conditions and entry requirements can change quickly; travellers should confirm vaccination and health‑screening requirements and check the Sierra Leone Health Travel Portal and official public‑health notices before departure.