Senegal Confirms First Mpox Case Amid Ongoing Global Alert
Senegal has recorded its first mpox case of the year after a foreign national tested positive for the virus upon arrival in the country on 19 August.
According to the Ministry of Health, the patient is in a stable condition and remains in isolation at Fann Hospital in Dakar.
Authorities confirmed on 25 August that no additional cases had been detected and that 25 identified contacts of the patient are under close monitoring.
The government has activated public health measures, including heightened surveillance and contact tracing, to prevent any potential spread. Health officials have not yet disclosed which variant of the virus was detected in the patient.
This development comes as sporadic mpox infections continue to be reported across Africa. Both the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have maintained alerts around the virus.
In August 2024, the WHO declared mpox a global public health emergency following a major outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mpox is transmitted through close contact with an infected person or animal. While the disease is usually mild, it can sometimes be severe or even fatal.
Common symptoms include flu-like illness and pus-filled skin lesions. Public health officials continue to advise regular hygiene practices and avoiding close contact with individuals showing symptoms.
The Ministry of Health has assured the public that measures are in place to contain the situation and that ongoing monitoring will guide further response efforts.