Madar (Dakar) - Confirmed diphtheria cases in Senegal have risen to 456, with 14 deaths since the outbreak began, as the disease has spread to 13 medical regions and 60 health districts, according to a health and public hygiene ministry statement covering the period to November 1, 2026, reported on Monday by the APA news agency.
Health authorities said no new deaths were recorded in the latest report. Confirmed cases stood at 368 on October 20 and 422 on October 26.
Dakar has 61 cases, followed by Kaolack (58), Thies (51), Diourbel (48), Louga (47), Matam (42), Tambacounda (39), Kedougou (37), Kolda (22), Saint-Louis (16), Ziguinchor (14), Fatick (11) and Kaffrine (10).
The ministry said diphtheria is contagious but "entirely preventable through vaccination," urging parents to check and complete their children's vaccinations under the Expanded Programme on Immunisation schedule.
It advised against self-medication and urged people to go to a health facility as soon as the first symptoms appear, including a sore throat, fever, a swollen neck or greyish membranes at the back of the throat, and set up a free hotline and two emergency numbers.
