Field-deployable diagnostics for emerging pathogens: enhancing outbreak surveillance capacity in Sierra Leone to support global health preparedness

Mpox (monkeypox) infections have been on the rise globally, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in 2022 and 2024. Despite the availability of vaccines, the virus continues to spread, with recent cases reported in high-income countries such as Canada, and a particularly alarming resurgence in several West African nations, including a recent outbreak in Sierra Leone. This highlights the urgent need for strengthened diagnostic and surveillance capacity, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to timely testing remains limited. This project aims to build and enhance diagnostic laboratory capacities in West Africa by providing essential equipment, implementing low-cost and rapid molecular testing tools, and delivering hands-on training for local laboratory personnel. By increasing local diagnostic capabilities and workforce readiness, the project will enable earlier detection, faster case confirmation, and improved surveillance of Mpox and other emerging viral threats. These efforts will contribute not only to national outbreak control but also to global health security by mitigating the risk of cross-border spread and enabling more effective international responses to future epidemics.