Senegal’s Ministry of Health has confirmed 258 cases of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) across six regions, with 21 deaths and 192 recoveries, as authorities intensify efforts to contain the mosquito-borne disease.
Health Minister Dr. Ibrahima Sy announced a multi-sectoral response plan involving health, agriculture, and environmental agencies to curb the spread of the virus.
The outbreak, which began on September 20, has affected several parts of the country, with the northern region of Saint-Louis reporting the highest number of infections.
According to the health ministry, laboratory analyses have detected the presence of the virus in both humans and animals, confirming that livestock plays a central role in its spread. This finding underscores the government’s adoption of a “One Health” strategy, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health in managing the outbreak.
To strengthen the national response, authorities have deployed epidemic management committees across affected areas and provided medical equipment worth nearly 140 million CFA francs (about US$225,000) to hospitals in Saint-Louis and Richard-Toll.
Rift Valley Fever is primarily transmitted by mosquito bites or through direct contact with infected livestock, but officials have emphasized that human-to-human transmission does not occur.
