Mauritania - Diphtheria outbreak 2023-2026

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WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 43: 23 October - 29 October 2023
Data as reported by: 17:00; 29 October 2023
...

Mauritania

Diphtheria

8 Cases
4 Deaths
50.0% CFR

EVENT DESCRIPTION

On 19 October 2023, the Mauritanian Ministry of
Health reported suspected cases of Diphtheria. The
first case had onset of symptoms on 8 October 2023.
He sought medical attention on 11 October with
additional symptoms including fever, facial edema, false
membranes and foul-smelling whitish deposits in the
pharynx, sputum, unilateral swelling, tonsillar phlegmon,
epistaxis, bleeding gums, and toothache.

During epidemiological week 42 (ending 22 October
2023), a total of eight suspected cases, including four
deaths (CFR 50.0%), were reported from Bassiknou
hospital in Bassiknou district (Moughataas), in Hodh el
Chargui region (Wilaya).

Five (62.5%) cases were females and three (37.5%)
were males, with ages ranging between 2-20 years old.
Samples have been collected from two (25.0%) cases
and are currently being processed at the National
Institute of Public Health Research Laboratory.
Only one (12.5%) of the eight suspected cases was
vaccinated against diphtheria (Penta 3).

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

The National Public Health Emergency Operations
Center (PHEOC) has been activated and an
incident management system has been established.
Coordination meetings are being held three times a
week at the PHEOC.

A multidisciplinary team, including two
epidemiologists, two emergency physicians and a
bacteriologist, was deployed to the region to support
the investigation and response, and to provide
medicines and equipment to the bacteriology unit.
Samples are being analyzed at the National Institute
of Public Health Research Laboratory.

SITUATION INTERPRETATION

The Mauritanian Ministry reported suspected Diphtheria
cases on 19 October 2023. Only one of the eight suspected
cases had been vaccinated with the Penta 3 vaccine
and two cases are awaiting laboratory confirmation.
One of the primary public health interventions to control
Diphtheria outbreak is diphtheria vaccination. However,
sub-optimal vaccination coverage in Mauritania, with
76.0% reported nationwide in 2022, remains a significant
challenge. Enhancing surveillance, laboratory testing, and
vaccination activities is crucial to timely detect, confirm,
and respond to potential outbreaks.

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https://www.afro.who.int/countries/...s-bulletin-week-43-23-october-29-october-2023

 

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Gorgol region
/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorgol_region

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Gorgol: three deaths following an illness not yet elucidated

Sahara Media 2 weeks ago

A mysterious disease that is raging in a village in the wilaya of Gorgol has caused the death of three male children aged 10 to 15.

According to Sahara Media's own sources, the disease has spread to the village of Tablenkout, commune of Beyliga Lexeiba 1 wilaya of Gorgol.

Our sources describe the disease as "rare," with symptoms of "inflammation in the neck that can turn into a tumor causing joint pain accompanied by a high fever."

Local sources reported that the disease is more dangerous for adults than for children.

Health authorities on site have begun monitoring the disease and investigating its causes.

https://fr.saharamedias.net/gorgol-trois-deces-consecutifs-a-une-maladie-non-encore-elucidee/
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A suspected case of diphtheria found in a locality of the wilaya of Gorgol

Kaedi
On 10:02 AM | 27 Dec 2024

A press release from the Ministry of Health received by AMI announced that a suspected case of diphtheria was reported at the Kaédi hospital center at the beginning of the week. Faced with this alert, the regional health services immediately deployed specialized teams, sent to the field to conduct in-depth investigations in the patient's locality of origin.

The statement said that active searches have detected two deaths with symptoms similar to those of diphtheria. Health teams have also identified the contacts of the affected persons and taken four samples, which have been subjected to careful analysis at the National Institute for Public Health Research.

"The results, made public this evening, confirmed the presence of diphtheria in three of the four samples examined. These patients, fortunately asymptomatic, are currently under strict medical surveillance. Their state of health does not require hospitalization, praise be to God," states the press release, which emphasizes "that it is important to recall that a similar outbreak was identified a few months ago in the wilaya of Hodh El Charghi. Thanks to rapid and effective mobilization, it was successfully contained."

The ministry recalls that diphtheria is one of the diseases covered by the National Expanded Immunization Program. This pathology is mainly prevalent in communities where vaccination coverage remains insufficient. The department therefore urges parents to take their children to vaccination centers to complete their doses, thus ensuring their protection against diphtheria and other preventable diseases.

Diphtheria caused by the bacterium Corynebacteriumdiphtheriae is a highly contagious disease that is transmitted from person to person. Its most serious consequences come from the toxin that it can secrete. The bacterium then carries the gene coding for the toxin (tox+). The main manifestation of the disease is angina which can be complicated by cardiac or neurological damage and lead to death.

https://ami.mr/fr/archives/261896
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A Confirmed Case of Diphtheria: Mobilization of Health Services

INRSP ADMIN
26-12-2024

Kaédi, Mauritania – This week, a suspected case of diphtheria was reported at the Kaédi Hospital, triggering a rapid response from health authorities. Under the direction of the Ministry of Health, regional services immediately deployed specialized teams to investigate the situation on the ground.

Investigations carried out in the patient's locality of origin revealed two deaths presenting symptoms similar to those of diphtheria. In-depth investigations made it possible to identify the contacts of the persons concerned, and four samples were taken for analysis at the INRSP Laboratory.

The results, made public this evening, confirmed the presence of diphtheria in three of the samples. Although the patients are asymptomatic, they have been placed under strict medical surveillance, and their condition does not require hospitalization. This rapid case management reflects the effectiveness of the health measures in place.

This is not the first time that diphtheria has been reported in the country. A few months ago, a similar outbreak was identified in the wilaya of Hodh El Charghi, but thanks to a coordinated response, the situation was successfully brought under control.

Diphtheria, a vaccine-preventable disease, remains a major challenge in communities where vaccination coverage is insufficient. The National Expanded Program on Immunization covers this pathology, and we urge parents to ensure that their children receive all the required doses. This ensures effective protection against diphtheria and other preventable diseases.

INRSP, in collaboration with health authorities, remains committed to the surveillance and control of infectious diseases in order to ensure the health and well-being of citizens.

https://inrsp.mr/actus/25​​

 

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Strengthening vigilance to contain diphtheria in Mauritania

06 May 2026

Bassiknou—Long considered a disease of the past, diphtheria continues to affect certain regions of Mauritania. Located in the east of the country, near the border with Mali, the Mbera refugee camp hosts communities particularly exposed, in a context marked by frequent population movements and sometimes difficult living conditions.

In the wilaya (region) of Hodh El Chargui, the disease circulates in an environment where access to healthcare can be limited, families often share cramped spaces and many children have not received all their vaccine doses. Combined with population movements, these factors favour its spread.

Faced with this situation, the Ministry of Health, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), is working closely with field teams to limit transmission. WHO assists authorities in several regions, helping health workers better recognize and treat diphtheria, protect patients and staff and ensure the availability of essential medicines. It also supports the delivery of care in Fassala and in the Mbera camp, as well as vaccination activities around identified cases.

In this context, Zeinabou, 22, a student at a Quranic school in Mbera, recognized the signs of the disease early enough to seek help. “The pain started simply, then the fever rose and I immediately thought of the cases people were talking about around us,” she explains. This reflex quickly led her to the health centre—a decisive choice in a situation where rapid care saves lives.

Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that mainly affects the throat and respiratory tract. It spreads from person to person through coughing or sneezing. Without prompt treatment, it can cause serious complications or even death. Yet it can be prevented through vaccination, which remains the best protection.

At the Mbera camp health centre, Dr Ghassoum Abdoulaye Wane, chief physician, sees this increase confirmed day after day: behind the numbers, constant pressure weighs on teams and communities, despite a general downward trend in cases since early 2026.

Between 1 January 2025 and 29 March 2026, 1439 confirmed cases and 56 deaths were recorded in Mauritania. Fourteen out of 15 wilayas were affected, with a strong concentration in Hodh El Chargui, which accounted for 862 cases. The Bassiknou district, including the Mbera camp, remains particularly affected, with 602 cases reported.

In the same camp, Khadija, 46, faced the disease within her family. She was caring for her 3 year old niece Salimata when the child fell ill. “Everything happened very quickly. Her throat was swollen, she had a fever and was breathing with difficulty. I immediately took her to the health post, then to the Mbera health centre,” she recalls.

Salimata was hospitalized in a ward reserved for diphtheria patients, where care is free and monitoring is constant. “The caregivers were present day and night. They did everything to reassure us. Some had even learned a few words in our local languages to communicate better with us,” says Khadija. After a week of hospitalization, the child was discharged, fully recovered.

Behind these stories, significant work has gradually been put in place to support affected communities. “Population movements, the high number of unvaccinated children and the pressure on health facilities explain why our district has been particularly affected,” emphasizes Dr Mohamed Souleimane Elemine, chief physician of Bassiknou district.

At the Mbera camp health centre, teams had to adapt quickly. Dr Moussa Sacko, general practitioner, stresses the importance of acting without delay. “As soon as patients arrive, we quickly identify suspected cases. They are directed to dedicated wards and immediately receive the necessary care,” he explains. Despite limited resources, his team treated 602 diphtheria patients between 2025 and March 2026.

Several actions have helped reduce the spread of the disease: better case monitoring, faster treatment, availability of essential medicines such as azithromycin and diphtheria antitoxin, improved protection for caregivers and vaccination of at risk individuals around identified cases. These efforts, supported by WHO, have strengthened the organization of the response on the ground.

According to Dr Charlotte Ndiaye, WHO Representative in Mauritania, these elements are crucial to limiting spread. “The circulation of diphtheria is favored by insufficient vaccination coverage, the presence of ‘zero dose’ children, and frequent population movements. Detecting cases quickly, treating them well and strengthening vaccination helps prevent severe forms and deaths,” she emphasizes.

These efforts have already improved the situation in several districts. In Adel Bagrou, for example, strengthened case surveillance and vaccination campaigns have greatly limited transmission, with only four cases recorded in the past three months. In Bassiknou, more than 23 000 people were vaccinated during a campaign conducted in January 2026.

For Zeinabou, this experience changed her view of prevention: “Before, I didn’t know there was a vaccine against this disease. Today, I talk about it to my family and friends. I tell them to be careful and protect themselves.”

Meanwhile, Khadija often thinks back to the anxious moments at the hospital before seeing her niece running and playing again: “I realized this disease can be serious, especially for children. But I also saw that going quickly to the health centre and following treatment can really make a difference and save our children.”
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https://www.afro.who.int/countries/...ening-vigilance-contain-diphtheria-mauritania