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In Senegal, health authorities are concerned regarding an upsurge in malaria cases in Dakar. The capital is however considered as “a green zone”, while the most affected regions remain Kolda, Tambacounda and Kédougou, in the south and east of the country. The Ministry of Health calls on the populations of Dakar not to lower their guard once morest this potentially fatal disease transmitted by mosquitoes.
With our correspondent in Dakar, Charlotte Idrac
It’s a comeback since last year. In 2021, 19,343 cases and at least 71 deaths due to malaria have been recorded in the Dakar region, according to the coordinator of the national disease control programme.
And health structures are now facing an influx of patients, underlines Doctor Doudou Sène. ” In most structures in Dakar, the beds are often occupied by malaria cases. In the green zone, the decline in population immunity quickly favors the appearance of severe cases and therefore causes deaths “explains the doctor.
► Also to listen: Health priority – Malaria
Promoting prevention
Other factors that explain this surge in cases: the heavy rains this year which caused flooding or the lasting consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic. For fear of stigma, people are reluctant to consult in case of fever, explains Dr. Sène.
The priority therefore remains prevention. ” In Dakar, people do not use the means of prevention of malaria correctly. Namely sleep under impregnated mosquito net. We have good availability of mosquito nets. About 80% are available, but we are at a little less than 50% of use of these mosquito nets “, he regrets.
While the season says ” cold » begins in the capital, the health authorities insist: the mosquito net must be used « all year round, for the whole family, every night ».