Senegal reports 8 diphtheria deaths since Aug. 1

Senegal has recorded 57 confirmed cases of diphtheria, including eight deaths, since the first case was confirmed on Aug. 1, according to a situation report released Wednesday by the country’s Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene.
As of Tuesday, the confirmed cases were detected mainly in the southeastern region of Kedougou, which reported 27 cases, followed by Louga in the north with eight cases and Dakar, the capital, with seven cases. Cases have also been reported in several other regions across the country.
In response, the ministry urged parents to follow the vaccination schedule under the Expanded Program on Immunization, check their children’s vaccination status and, if necessary, make up any missed doses.