Dakar: Health authorities in Senegal have sounded the alarm over a diphtheria outbreak across numerous regions, with nine deaths and 76 infections recorded so far. They reported that the epidemic is spreading across 11 of Senegal's 14 regions, particularly the Kedougou region in the east, and urged people to consult a doctor at the first signs of fever and to receive vaccination.

According to Oman News Agency, the first case of diphtheria in Senegal dates back to 30 July 2026 in the Kedougou region, and its location in eastern Senegal, close to Mali, points to a cross-border transmission. Mali, Mauritania, and Guinea have witnessed numerous diphtheria cases since 2015, which may explain the disease's arrival in Senegal.

Vaccination coverage in Senegal stands at 88 percent, a relatively good rate, yet this highly contagious disease spreads primarily among unvaccinated children. As a result, health authorities have urged caution and immediate medical consultation upon experiencing sore throat and elevated temperature.

Although diphtheria is a fatal disease, it is easily treated. Some 249 suspected cases have been detected so far, and after Kedougou, Dakar and Thies, the two most densely populated regions in Senegal, are the worst affected.