Senegal’s health authorities have confirmed the country’s first mpox case of the year, detected in a foreign national who arrived in the West African nation last week.
In a statement released late Saturday, the Ministry of Health said the patient is in stable condition, has been placed in isolation, and is receiving medical care. Officials did not specify which variant of the virus was identified.
Health ministry spokespersons added on Monday that no new cases had been recorded since the detection, though 25 individuals who came into contact with the patient are under close monitoring.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, spreads primarily through close contact. While most cases are mild, the infection can sometimes be fatal. It typically presents with flu-like symptoms followed by painful, pus-filled skin lesions.
This detection comes against the backdrop of heightened global concern. In August 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years after a major outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo spread across borders into neighboring countries.
Senegalese health authorities have urged the public to remain calm while reinforcing surveillance and containment measures to prevent further transmission.
