Officials with the Senegal Ministry of Health report the Rift Valley fever (RVF) outbreak that began in late September, is under control and concluded without escalation, underscoring Senegal’s strengthened surveillance systems amid regional alerts in West Africa.
From 20 September 2025 to 4 January 2026, a total of 561 confirmed human RVF cases, including 31 deaths (CFR 5.5%), were reported from 41 districts across 11 regions of the country. Saint-Louis Region was the most affected, accounting for 66.5% (n=373) of cases and 61.3% (n=19) of deaths. The remaining affected regions were Matam (46 cases, 5 deaths), Fatick (39 cases, 3 deaths), Kaolack (37 cases, 0 deaths), Louga (22 cases, 4 deaths), Dakar (18 cases, 0 deaths), Tambacounda (10 cases, 0 deaths), Kolda (5 cases, 0 deaths), Thiès (5 cases, 0 deaths), Kaffrine (2 cases, 0 deaths), and Kédougou (2 cases, 0 deaths).
Males were disproportionately affected, representing 64.9% (n=364) of cases. By occupation, cattle herders, students, and housewives are the most affected groups. Haemorrhagic symptoms were reported in 46 cases, including 23 of the 31 reported deaths.
Concurrently, confirmed Rift Valley fever cases have been reported among animals. As of 4 January 2026, a total of 446 animal cases, primarily affecting sheep, goats, and camels, have been reported across 11 regions of the country.
The Rift Valley fever outbreak in Senegal has had a substantial public health impact, marked by widespread transmission, a high case burden, and an elevated case fatality ratio. Transmission has been driven by intense exposure at the human–animal–vector interface, with severe disease accounting for most fatalities.
