Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) – Senegal has recorded 76 cases of diphtheria, including nine deaths, as of September 13, 2026, according to the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene.
The cases have been reported in 24 health districts across 11 regions, with the southeastern region of Kédougou emerging as the most affected area, raising concerns about cross-border disease surveillance in neighboring countries, including The Gambia.
Kédougou Records Highest Number of Cases
Kédougou has reported 28 cases, including 18 in the Kédougou health district, eight in Saraya, and two in Salémata.
Dakar follows with 12 cases, seven of them recorded in Guédiawaye, while Thiès has reported 10 cases and Louga nine. Diourbel has recorded eight cases and Kaolack three.
Two cases have been reported in Matam, while Fatick, Kolda, Saint-Louis, and Tambacounda have each recorded one case.
Cross-Border Vigilance
The outbreak is likely to draw attention in The Gambia, which shares close social, economic, and family ties with Senegal and sees frequent daily movement of people across its borders.
Health experts have long stressed that infectious diseases do not respect national boundaries, making regional cooperation and surveillance essential. Although no diphtheria outbreak has been reported in The Gambia, public health officials may need to remain vigilant, particularly in border communities and among travellers.
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that mainly affects the throat and airways and can become life-threatening if not treated promptly. It is, however, preventable through vaccination.
Health Ministry Urges Vaccination
The Senegalese Ministry of Health said diphtheria is an infectious and contagious disease that can be prevented through vaccination.
It urged parents and guardians to follow the vaccination schedule under Senegal’s Expanded Programme on Immunization and check their children’s vaccination status to ensure that any missed doses are completed.
Health authorities are also advising the public to seek medical attention promptly if symptoms appear. These include sore throat, fever, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, swelling of the neck, and the presence of greyish membranes in the throat.
The nine reported deaths underline the potential seriousness of the disease and the importance of early diagnosis, treatment, and vaccination, particularly among children who may have missed scheduled immunizations.
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