Government Investigates Mysterious Skin Lesions Among Students in Bombali
The National Public Health Agency (NPHA), together with the Ministry of Health, has launched an urgent investigation into reports of unexplained skin lesions affecting 28 school children aged 15 to 17 in Safroko Limba Chiefdom, Bombali District. A rapid response team comprising epidemiologists, infection prevention experts, and laboratory scientists has been deployed to the community to conduct detailed examinations, trace close contacts, and collect samples for urgent laboratory analysis in Freetown. Authorities have advised the public to avoid self-medication and traditional remedies while the cause remains under study, urging calm as results are pending.
Skin lesions among adolescents can raise concern for a broad range of conditions from infectious causes like viral rashes, fungal infections, or even vector-borne illnesses, to non-infectious dermatological disorders. In this case, the NPHA’s laboratory sampling will be key to determining whether the lesions are the result of a new or re-emerging pathogen, a localized environmental exposure, or something altogether different. The agency has emphasized the importance of early reporting and seeking proper medical care, particularly for young people, to limit potential spread or harm.
Sierra Leone’s current probe comes amid a history of public health emergencies. The country has endured major crises over the last decade, including a devastating Ebola outbreak in 2014–2015, which claimed thousands of lives. More recently, Sierra Leone has dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic and, in early 2025, declared a public health emergency over a surge in mpox (monkeypox) cases. These experiences have underscored the fragility of the country’s health system and the need for stronger preparedness and coordination.
To that end, the NPHA itself was officially launched only in December 2023 under the Public Health Act of 2022, giving it broad legal authority to lead disease prevention, surveillance, and emergency response under a “One Health” framework. The agency is structured into core directorates for surveillance, laboratory services, policy, logistics, and communications designed to ensure evidence-based interventions, rapid mobilization, and community engagement. Early in 2025, the NPHA has already issued several public advisories, including warnings ahead of heavy rains to prevent flooding related health risks such as cholera and skin infections.
As the investigation into the Bombali lesions unfolds, the NPHA has appealed for community cooperation and transparency, promising regular updates once laboratory findings are available.
