Senegal has confirmed 57 cases of diphtheria, including eight deaths, since the country detected its first case on 1 August, the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene said in a report released on Wednesday.
As of Tuesday, the south-eastern region of Kédougou had recorded the highest number, with 27 cases. Louga in northern Senegal had reported eight cases, while the capital, Dakar, had recorded seven. Other cases were detected across several regions.
The ministry urged parents to check their children’s vaccination status, follow the Expanded Programme on Immunisation schedule and ensure that missed doses are administered.
According to the World Health Organization, diphtheria can affect people of all ages, but those who are unvaccinated or inadequately vaccinated are particularly vulnerable. Young children face a greater risk of death.
The disease spreads mainly through direct contact or respiratory droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes.