Congratulations to the Laboratory Pillar for successfully exceeding their genomic surveillance target in response to the Mpox outbreak. The team set out to sequence between 70 to 90 Mpox-positive samples each month, aiming for an average turnaround time of 7 days and a sequencing coverage of 8% of confirmed cases. This goal has not only been met but surpassed, with current coverage reaching 8.4%.
To date, 423 Mpox-positive samples have been sequenced out of 5,038 confirmed cases. These include:
- 145 sequences (2.9%) from CPHRL
- 103 sequences (2.0%) from Kenema
- 8 sequences (0.2%) from IP Dakar
- 167 sequences (3.3%) from the Port Loko mobile lab
The team follows a strict selection process, prioritizing samples with low cycle threshold (CT) values to ensure high-quality sequencing data. They also focus on samples from deceased cases, those with unusual or severe symptoms, and cases from border districts to monitor potential cross-border transmission.
These sequencing efforts are essential for tracking viral evolution and informing public health responses. The Laboratory Pillar’s commitment to maintaining and expanding sequencing coverage as case numbers grow is commendable and plays a vital role in ongoing surveillance of circulating viral clades.
Well done to the entire team for this important achievement