Health authorities have identified 19 new cases of diphtheria across the Kedougou, Saraya, and Salemata health districts in southeastern Senegal, bringing the total number of fatalities linked to the late-July outbreak to three, according to the state-run Senegalese Press Agency (APS).
The newly confirmed infections affect 11 boys and eight girls ranging in age from one to 20 years, with a median patient age of five, as reported by Ababacar Mbaye, lead outbreak monitor for the Regional Epidemic Management Committee (CRGE).
The 19 patients were detected through targeted screening among 34 close contacts currently undergoing preventive medical treatment. Local medical teams are maintaining active contact tracing and community awareness campaigns while working to identify unvaccinated or under-vaccinated minors across affected localities. Out of a regional target population of 2,406 children under five scheduled for diphtheria immunization, healthcare workers have successfully administered doses to 823 children so far. Response efforts also include securing essential antibiotic and antitoxin supplies for health centers in Kedougou and Saraya, as well as the Amath-Dansokho Regional Hospital.
To contain further transmission, field teams have conducted 187 door-to-door monitoring visits across 27 localities, with Saraya district accounting for 165 of the home interventions. Diphtheria is a severe, highly contagious bacterial infection primarily targeting the upper respiratory tract. Health officials emphasize that curbing the spread requires immediate clinical isolation, antibiotic administration, and high vaccination coverage among vulnerable populations.
TE/Sf/lb/abj/APA