Pasteur Institute tests Salmonella for antibiotic sensitivity
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Senego, Seneweb and Le Soleil
Illustrative image · Tima Miroshnichenko · Pexels · Licence PexelsThe Pasteur Institute of Dakar isolated Salmonella sp. in the first five cases examined after the food poisoning outbreak in Kébémer. The toll remains at 649 people affected at 11 sites, with no new cases, deaths or severe cases, while tests continue to determine the source of the contamination and the strain’s sensitivity to antibiotics, according to Senego.
The toll from the food poisoning outbreak in Kébémer remains at 649 people affected at 11 sites, after 604 cases were recorded on 7 November. No new cases were reported in the previous 24 hours and there have been no deaths or severe cases, according to the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene.
Minister Ibrahima Sy convened the National Epidemic Management Committee on 9 November and called for investigations to be strengthened, with a multidisciplinary research team set up to identify the causes and source of the contamination. Patients are stable, some have recovered and none is currently hospitalised, with all being monitored as outpatients.
Analyses by the Pasteur Institute of Dakar isolated Salmonella sp. in the first five cases examined. Serotyping and antibiotic susceptibility testing are still needed to identify the strain and its sensitivity to treatments. Six stool samples analysed at Louga Regional Hospital, however, showed neither salmonella, shigella nor vibrio cholerae.
Water and food samples have been sent to LANAC and the Regional Hygiene Brigade, while food preparation and collective catering sites are being inspected. The toll also includes 30 cases in Mékhé and one case in Louga. The ministry is urging the public to maintain food and water hygiene precautions.
