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Senegal - Diphtheria outbreak 2026

Pathfinder

Editor, Senior Moderator
Translation Google

Twelve new cases of diphtheria confirmed in Saraya and Kédougou

Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 1:35 PM

Kédougou, August 20 (APS) – Twelve new cases of diphtheria have been confirmed in the health districts of Saraya and Kédougou, as part of investigations conducted by health authorities, APS learned Thursday from the incident manager of the Regional Committee for Epidemic Management (CRGE), Dr. Ababacar Mbaye.

“Twelve cases have been confirmed in the health districts of Saraya (6) and Kédougou2 (6). The sex ratio of confirmed cases is 6 boys to 6 girls. The median age of confirmed cases is 4.5 years (min 4 years and max 13 years) out of 202 contact subjects,” he said.

He recalled that on August 18 and 19, a total of 6 new cases had been recorded as part of the investigations conducted after the first cases appeared at the end of July.

Two deaths were subsequently reported at the Bambaraya health post in the Saraya district and at the Ndiormi secondary center in the Kédougou district, one of which was confirmed post-mortem.

Preventive treatment of contacts of newly confirmed cases continues in the Kédougou region, according to Dr. Ababacar Mbaye.

He assures that medical staff will continue the active search for zero-dose and under-vaccinated children, in parallel with the supply of antitoxin to health facilities.

“They will ensure full follow-up of the 168 identified zero-dose and under-vaccinated children, and maintain surveillance of the 202 contact cases until the end of the 10-day follow-up period,” he added.

He also explained that on July 29, the pediatrician at the Amath Dansokho Regional Hospital Center in Kédougou (CHRADK) had reported other deaths in children under five years of age, presenting clinical signs of upper airway obstruction.

Twelve new cases of diphtheria confirmed in Saraya and Kédougou

“The main clinical manifestations observed were: dyspnea, cough, rhinorrhea, severe respiratory distress and tonsillar hypertrophy,” he indicated.

The Prevention Directorate of the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene was informed on July 30th of a series of deaths of children under five years of age at CHRADK.

“The regional health directorate of Kédougou presented clinical pictures suggestive of respiratory diphtheria (dyspnea, severe respiratory distress, tonsillar hypertrophy, necrosis of the rhinopharyngeal part, cervical swelling). A retrospective review of medical records identified 11 suspected cases, all deceased between August 2024 and July 2026,” he indicated.

In this context, two post-mortem samples were taken on July 26 and 29, 2026, from two suspected children and sent to the Pasteur Institute in Dakar for confirmation. One case was confirmed on August 1, 2026.

PID/ABD/HB/BK

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Health: Mbour records its first case of diphtheria since the start of the epidemic

The Mbour health district recently noted a new case of diphtheria, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 14, thus requiring vigilant monitoring to contain this ongoing epidemic.

Published on 28/08/2026 at 13:52
Updated on 28/08/2026 at 13:52

By Malang Toure

Following the confirmation of 12 cases of diphtheria in Senegal, specifically between Kédougou and Saraya, the Mbour health district (west) has just recorded its first case since the start of the epidemic.

The total number of cases has risen from 12 to 14. In Mbour, the health district is closely monitoring the recorded cases. The response plan continues in the affected areas to contain the spread of the disease. Of the 14 confirmed cases, 8 are girls. Two deaths have been recorded since the start of the diphtheria outbreak .

 
Translation Google

Diphtheria outbreak in Senegal: 57 confirmed cases and 8 deaths recorded

The Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene published its situation report on the diphtheria epidemic on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Since the confirmation of the first case on August 1, 2026, Senegal has recorded 57 confirmed cases of diphtheria, including eight deaths.

According to information from the ministry, "the Kédougou region is the most affected with 27 cases, including 18 in Kédougou, 7 in Saraya, and 2 in Salémata." This is followed by the Louga region with 8 cases, Dakar with 7 cases (6 in Guédiawaye), and Thiès with 7 cases (6 in Mbour).

In its statement, the ministry reminds the public that diphtheria is an infectious and contagious disease, but one that is preventable through vaccination. Symptoms include a sore throat, fever, difficulty swallowing, and sometimes breathing difficulties.

In fact, "transmission occurs mainly through inhalation of respiratory droplets or through contact with contaminated objects."

In response to the situation, "the ministry urges parents to adhere to the Expanded Program on Immunization's vaccination schedule and to consult the nearest healthcare facility immediately upon the appearance of any symptoms." It advises against self-medication.

Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Dieynaba Agne

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Ministry of Health and Social Action​

1d ·
Update on the diphtheria situation as of September 8, 2026.

The Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene provides an update on the evolution of the diphtheria epidemic in Senegal, as of September 8, 2026.

Since the confirmation of the first case on August 1, 2026, Senegal has recorded 57 confirmed cases of diphtheria, including eight deaths.

For more information on diphtheria, please click on these links: https://www.who.int/.../new.../fact-sheets/detail/diphtheria

https://www.pasteur.fr/.../les-maladies-de-z/diphterie

(Image translated by Google)
1789048740726.webp
 
Translation Google

Diphtheria: 10% mortality rate combined with rapid disease progression (official)

Friday, September 25, 2026 at 4:03 PM

Dakar, Sept 25 (APS) – The diphtheria epidemic, which is affecting 12 of the country's 14 regions, is progressing rapidly with a fatality rate of 10% since the official confirmation of the first case on August 1 by the Pasteur Institute of Dakar, noted the incident manager of this disease at the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene (MSHP).

“The epidemic is progressing rapidly. We had 76 cases and 9 deaths as of September 13, which is 38 more cases in one week. The case fatality rate is approximately 10%,” said Dr. Jean-Pierre Diallo.

In an interview with APS, he thus established a comparison between the number of cases retained between September 13 and 21, the date of publication of the second SITREP, the diphtheria situation report.

According to this document, Senegal has recorded 114 confirmed cases and 11 deaths.

According to the incident manager, the high number of cases is partly explained by late consultations.

He also mentioned the geographical situation of the most affected localities, in isolated rural areas, border areas and far from health districts, or in densely populated urban areas.

This situation means that Kédougou, a border region in eastern Senegal, “remains the epicenter of the epidemic with 33 cases, or 28.9 of the national total”, which is 114 cases as of September 21, 2026, Dr. Jean-Pierre Diallo specified.

According to him, Guédiawaye, a densely populated department in the Dakar region, with its 15 cases, comes just behind Louga (16 cases), thus confirming one of the causes of the disease, namely overcrowding.

Diphtheria is a contagious bacterial disease, which is transmitted through coughing and sneezing, or through direct contact.

It manifests as a sore throat, fever, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness or a swollen neck, sometimes respiratory distress, but is preventable by vaccination.

While the age group between 5 and under 15 years is the most affected by the diphtheria epidemic, with 54.4% of cases (62 cases), this is precisely because there are “pockets of children who are not vaccinated or are poorly vaccinated, especially in rural and border areas”, the bacteria continues to circulate in these pockets, the incident manager said.

ABB/BK

https://aps.sn/diphterie-10-de-letalite-et-une-progression-rapide-de-la-maladie-officiel/
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Diourbel: 24 cases of diphtheria recorded, including two imported cases

Friday, September 25, 2026 at 5:18 PM

Diourbel, Sept 25 (APS) – Twenty-four cases of diphtheria have been reported in the Diourbel region (central Senegal) since the start of the epidemic, including two “imported” cases, said the regional health director, Mamadou Dieng, on Friday.

“Today, our region is affected by the occurrence of diphtheria cases in the Touba health district, where 22 cases have been recorded, including 2 imported cases. In total, we have reported 24 cases of diphtheria since the beginning,” he said.

Speaking at a meeting of the regional committee for epidemic management (CRGE), Mamadou Dieng recalled that diphtheria is a highly contagious infectious disease, generally transmitted through the respiratory route, particularly among unvaccinated children.

“The most singular and most serious form is diphtheritic angina,” characterized in particular by whitish pseudomembranes that can extend to the pharynx, larynx and palate, he explained, stressing that it can lead to respiratory distress.

Mr. Dieng called on families to check children's vaccination status, complete the doses scheduled under the Expanded Programme on Immunization, and seek early medical attention in case of fever, sore throat, or difficulty swallowing.

He also recommended adherence to hygiene measures, including handwashing and coughing into a tissue, to limit transmission.

For his part, the governor of Diourbel, Ibrahima Fall, stressed the need to strengthen awareness and communication, but also to train those responsible for disseminating messages.

He cited, among these actors, health personnel, community relays, the press, traditional communicators, religious leaders, mayors and village chiefs, calling for a collective mobilization to reduce the spread of the disease.

MNF/BK

 
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