Health Ministry Updates Public on Rise in Seasonal Flu Cases

By: George C Flomo 

MONROVIA – The Ministry of Health has assured the public that there is no cause for panic amid a recent increase in seasonal flu or flu-like symptoms being reported across communities and schools in Montserrado County and beyond.

Speaking at the regular Ministry of Information press briefing on Tuesday, Dr. Jewel Tarpeh Kollie, County Health Officer for Montserrado County, said the ministry is aware of the rising cases and is taking precautionary steps to monitor the situation closely.

Dr. Kollie, who represented Assistant Minister for Curative Services, Dr. Teyeh Sackie Moore, told journalists that the ministry had earlier issued a public health advisory to keep citizens informed about the ongoing developments.

“This is not a call for panic,” Dr. Kollie emphasized. “It is just to inform the public about what is ongoing and how we can all take precautionary measures.”

According to her, the spike in flu-like symptoms is not unusual at this time of the year as Liberia transitions from the rainy season to the dry season — a period when respiratory infections and related illnesses tend to rise.

Samples Under Laboratory Analysis

Dr. Kollie revealed that samples from affected individuals have been collected and sent to the National Public Health Reference Laboratory for analysis. The Ministry of Health will release the results to the public once the findings are available.

“We don’t yet know what we are dealing with,” she said. “But the samples have been sent for testing, and once the results are ready, they will be shared through the appropriate channels.”

Precautionary Health Measures

The County Health Officer encouraged the public to remain vigilant and adopt preventive health measures, including regular handwashing, avoiding close contact with sick individuals, and covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. She also advised those experiencing severe symptoms such as persistent fever, cough, and headache to seek immediate medical attention.

“While many people recover naturally, others may experience severe symptoms,” she cautioned. “If your condition worsens, please visit the nearest health facility.”

Flu Surveillance in Five Counties

Dr. Kollie explained that the Ministry of Health, through the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), has established sentinel surveillance sites in five counties — Montserrado, Nimba, Maryland, Bong, and Grand Bassa — to monitor flu-like illnesses and gather real-time data.

“These sites remain active and continue to track respiratory infections and influenza-like illnesses, a system that has been in place since the COVID-19 outbreak,” she added.

Awareness on Monkeypox Continues

In addition to seasonal flu, Dr. Kollie used the opportunity to remind the public of the ongoing presence of the Monkeypox (Mpox) virus in Liberia, noting that Montserrado continues to record a notable number of cases.

“We still have challenges with people being in denial or hiding their symptoms,” she said. “We want to encourage everyone to come forward and seek proper care.”

She disclosed that vaccines are available for frontline health workers, direct contacts of confirmed cases, and members of key populations.

Inter-Ministerial Collaboration

Dr. Kollie also extended appreciation to school administrators and community members who have alerted health authorities about suspected flu cases among students. She noted that the Ministry of Health is working closely with the Ministry of Education to ensure timely response and public awareness.

“We don’t want to wait until things get out of proportion,” she said. “That’s why we’re using this platform to keep the public informed and prepared.”

The Ministry of Health assured citizens that it remains committed to protecting public health through transparent communication, timely testing, and continuous public education.