Madar (Dakar) - Senegal's diphtheria outbreak has reached 368 confirmed cases and 14 deaths as of 18 October 2026, including two new deaths since the previous update, according to the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene, as reported by news site Seneweb on Tuesday, 20 October 2026.
Cases have been confirmed in 60 health districts across 13 regions. The hardest hit are Dakar (53 cases), Kaolack (48), Diourbel (44), Louga (42), Kédougou (35), Thiès (33), Matam (29) and Tambacounda (26).
Diphtheria is a contagious infectious disease that can be prevented by vaccination. Symptoms include a sore throat, fever, difficulty swallowing or breathing, hoarseness and a swollen neck.
The ministry urged parents to check their children's vaccination status and complete any missing doses, to seek care at a health facility as soon as the first symptoms appear, and to avoid self-medication.
