Saint-Louis : Face à la fièvre de la vallée du Rift, le ministre de la Santé appelle à une forte mobilisation communautaire
The Saint-Louis region is on alert. For several days, it has been facing an epidemic of Rift Valley fever, which has already claimed the lives of seven people and infected 21 others. Faced with this worrying situation, the Minister of Health and Public Hygiene, Ibrahima Sy, visited the region to take stock and reiterate the urgent need for a community response.
"Let me first bow reverently before the memory of the people we have lost to this epidemic," said the minister, before praising the mobilization of local authorities, the regional governor, health services, but also those involved in livestock farming, the environment, social action and universities.
According to him, almost all districts in the region are now affected, with the exception of Pété, but the risk of spread remains high. "This is a critical case: it's the first time we've recorded at least seven deaths in a week, with more than twenty confirmed cases," he warned.
The urgency of citizen mobilization
The minister emphasizes the need for awareness and active community involvement: "Only citizen and community mobilization will slow the progression of the disease."
He explains that the current spread is encouraged by the wandering of ruminants as well as by the proliferation of ponds, real hotbeds of transmission vectors.
Strengthening care and prevention
Another major challenge is the shortage of blood bags, which are essential for treating patients, as Rift Valley fever is a hemorrhagic disease. To this end, the minister has launched an urgent appeal for volunteers to donate blood.
At the same time, hygiene services were deployed to dust contaminated ponds and spray indoors. The National Malaria Control Program also made impregnated mosquito nets available for the highest-risk areas.
A major communication component is underway, notably involving the media, in order to inform the population about the causes of the disease, its risk factors, its symptoms and the need to quickly contact health facilities in the event of suspicious signs.
Community surveillance, key to the fight
Minister Ibrahima Sy concluded his speech by emphasizing the central role of community surveillance: "Everything will be gained at this level. The population must be able to identify suspected cases themselves and collaborate closely with stakeholders in the health system."
The State, health services and local stakeholders remain mobilized to contain the epidemic, but it is above all vigilance and civic engagement that appear today as the essential levers to slow the progression of Rift Valley fever in Saint-Louis, which has advanced dangerously.
Commentaires (3)
Il faut les soigner d'abord et prendre toutes les mesures préventives nécessaires et surtout ne pas faire peur aux gens inutilement. Sérénité, on avait connu le pire en Covid état d'urgence et crise économique. Certains en avaient même profité pour voler criminellement les deniers publics dédiés à ça.
Ce ministre est un véritable camouflet aucun changement notable n’est noté depuis sa prise de fonction. Aucune once de rupture. Pour se convaincre il suffit de visiter les DRS ce sont toujours les mêmes tares : course effrénée vers les perdiems, absentéisme des DRS, la politique du peu le matin rien le soir etc. Le pays regorge de talents confirmés en santé publique il faut amener ce SY au repos et mettre un accélérateur qui va apporter les changements systémiques, nettoyer au kracher les DRS, désengorger le ministère (tous les deflatés se sont retrouvés dans les directions sans postes et très souvent sans bureau. C’est triste de le dire pour le constater le MSAS se meurt.
Le plus nul des ministre. IL connait Rien sur la santé
Participer à la Discussion