Senegal’s diphtheria outbreak accelerates with cases surpassing 70 in widespread regions

The diphtheria outbreak in Senegal has surged to over 76 confirmed cases across 24 districts, prompting urgent vaccination campaigns and warnings from health officials amid fears of wider circulation of the disease.

Senegal’s diphtheria outbreak has worsened sharply, with health authorities now reporting 76 confirmed cases and nine deaths across 24 health districts in 11 regions, according to updates cited by local and regional outlets. The rise marks a steep increase from the ministry’s earlier tally of 57 cases and eight deaths, underlining how quickly the disease has spread since the first case was identified in late July or early August.

Kédougou in the south-east remains the hardest-hit area and the centre of the outbreak. Reported figures show 28 cases there, mostly in the Kédougou, Saraya and Salémata districts. Dakar has also seen a growing number of infections, while Thiès and Louga have reported double-digit caseloads in the latest tallies. Other regions, including Diourbel, Kaolack, Matam and Kolda, have also recorded cases, suggesting the outbreak is no longer confined to one part of the country.

Health officials say the pattern points to wider circulation of the infection, and retrospective investigations in Kédougou have uncovered suspected cases that may have gone unnoticed earlier in the year. Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable bacterial disease that can cause sore throat, fever, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness and swelling in the neck, and in severe cases can lead to breathing problems when greyish membranes form in the throat.

The Health Ministry has urged parents to check their children’s vaccination records under the country’s routine immunisation programme and to complete any missed doses. It has also warned families not to rely on self-medication and to seek medical care quickly if symptoms appear, as early treatment is critical to limiting complications and preventing further spread.