Senegal confirms RVF outbreak amid new mpox cases
September 29, 2025
Senegal is contending with a dual public health challenge: a deadly Rift Valley Fever outbreak in Saint-Louis and a fresh resurgence of Mpox. With 21 RVF cases and seven deaths, the government has mobilized insecticide campaigns and community surveillance to curb mosquito transmission. At the same time, newly confirmed Mpox cases highlight how quickly the virus can resurface, with two unrelated clusters now under investigation. Authorities are monitoring dozens of contacts while reinforcing public awareness and clinical preparedness. Senegal’s situation demonstrates the importance of rapid, multi-pronged responses when simultaneous epidemics strain resources and demand strong community engagement.
Senegal faces a stark reminder of how overlapping outbreaks can strain even resilient health systems. In Saint-Louis, Rift Valley Fever has caused 21 confirmed infections and seven deaths, with transmission tied to mosquito vectors thriving in stagnant water. The Ministry of Health, led by Dr. Ibrahima Sy, has prioritized vector control, deploying insecticides, larvicides, and rapid-response teams. Community mobilization, including efforts to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and improve surveillance, is central to halting the outbreak.
Meanwhile, Mpox has re-emerged in the country, underscoring the unpredictability of viral transmission. On September 25, two new Clade 2b infections were confirmed just days after contact with a previously diagnosed case. These infections are unrelated to an earlier imported Clade 1b case in August, meaning Senegal is managing two distinct clusters simultaneously. With 42 contacts under follow-up and patients reported stable, health officials are cautiously optimistic but remain alert to the risk of rapid community spread.
This resurgence occurs at a time when Africa overall has reported fewer weekly Mpox cases since May, highlighting the localized unpredictability of outbreaks. For Senegal, the challenge is heightened by the need to respond to two different pathogens requiring distinct strategies: one focused on vector control and community-based environmental management, the other centered on surveillance, isolation, and clinical care.
Senegal’s experience is a reminder that epidemic preparedness must be adaptable and layered. Strengthening laboratory capacity, sustaining community trust, and coordinating interventions across sectors are essential when countries face concurrent crises. The rapid mobilization in Saint-Louis and the swift detection of Mpox cases in Dakar demonstrate national resolve, but lasting success will depend on sustained resources, regional collaboration, and proactive public health engagement that addresses both immediate threats and long-term resilience.