Senegal has confirmed its first case of monkeypox, also known as Mpox, in Dakar, the Ministry of Health and Social Action announced on 22 August 2025.
The patient, a foreign national who recently entered the country, is currently receiving treatment at Fann Hospital under close medical supervision. Authorities have assured the public that his condition is stable and urged calm.
According to the ministry, the patient arrived in Senegal on 19 August and began exhibiting symptoms shortly after.
He was admitted to the Infectious Diseases Department of Fann Hospital on 21 August, where laboratory tests the following day confirmed the Mpox infection. He has since been isolated to prevent any risk of transmission.
Health officials emphasised that the patient is being monitored according to established protocols and that all necessary preventive measures have been deployed. Teams are actively working to trace and monitor any potential contacts to contain the spread of the virus.
Authorities have also set up a toll-free number, 800 00 50 50, to provide guidance to the public and answer questions regarding Mpox. Citizens are urged to follow the instructions of health workers and seek medical attention if they experience suspicious symptoms.
Mpox is a viral disease that has seen a resurgence in Central and West Africa since 2022. While rarely fatal, it requires rapid detection and treatment to limit its spread. The confirmation of this case in Dakar marks the first official report of the disease in the city in 2025.
The ministry called on the population to remain vigilant but calm, reiterating that early isolation, contact tracing, and adherence to medical guidance remain the most effective measures to control the outbreak.
This case highlights the ongoing importance of infectious disease surveillance and rapid response in Senegal, particularly in urban centres with significant international travel.
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