Senegal has recorded 301 confirmed diphtheria cases and 12 deaths, with the outbreak now affecting 55 health districts in 13 regions.
Senegal’s health ministry said on 12 October that the country had recorded 301 confirmed diphtheria cases and 12 deaths as the outbreak continued to widen across the country. The latest tally, covering data up to 11 October, points to a fast-moving epidemic now present in 55 health districts across 13 regions, underscoring how quickly the disease has spread beyond its early hotspots.
According to the ministry’s figures, Dakar remains the most affected region, with 43 cases, including clusters in Guédiawaye, Keur Massar and Mbao. Diourbel has reported 40 cases, most of them in Touba, while Kaolack has 36. Kédougou and Louga each account for 35 infections, and cases have also been recorded in Matam, Thiès, Tambacounda, Ziguinchor, Kolda, Saint-Louis, Fatick and Kaffrine. The ministry said the death toll rose by one compared with its previous update.
The latest numbers show a marked escalation over recent weeks. On 13 September, Senegalese health authorities had reported 76 confirmed cases and nine deaths across 24 districts in 11 regions, with the outbreak initially concentrated in Kédougou. By 5 October, the caseload had climbed to 248 cases and 11 deaths in 51 districts, before reaching the current level of 301 infections. That progression suggests the epidemic has continued to move into new areas even as it intensifies in established clusters.
Health officials have repeated that diphtheria is a contagious disease that can be prevented through vaccination. The ministry is urging parents to check their children’s immunisation status under the Expanded Programme on Immunisation, catch up on missed doses and seek care quickly if symptoms appear. Those warning signs include sore throat, fever, trouble swallowing, hoarseness, neck swelling and the greyish membranes sometimes seen in the throat. The ministry also told the public to avoid self-medication and go straight to the nearest health facility if infection is suspected.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
