Senegal is grappling with a deadly outbreak of Rift Valley fever that has claimed 20 lives since late September, health authorities said.
The Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene confirmed that the mosquito-borne virus, which primarily affects livestock but can infect humans, was first detected on September 20.
In a statement released Tuesday, the ministry reported 171 infections nationwide, with 159 concentrated in the northern Saint Louis region, where the disease has spread rapidly through herds and communities alike.
Officials said 128 people have recovered, though no data has been disclosed on animal losses, a key concern in a nation heavily reliant on livestock.
Rift Valley fever, transmitted through infected animals or mosquito bites, often begins with fever, headache, and muscle pain in humans, while livestock commonly suffer from fever and internal bleeding.
The outbreak has prompted urgent containment measures, with health teams dispatched to affected areas to monitor transmission and curb the spread.
Authorities are urging vigilance among farmers and residents, warning that the disease’s dual impact on human health and rural economies could deepen if the epidemic continues unchecked.
As Senegal battles to contain the virus, the nation’s northern plains—usually a lifeline of agriculture and trade—have become a zone of anxiety, where every fever stirs fresh fear of infection.