The truth about the mysterious illness in Kébémer: the Pasteur Institute reveals all

In an interview with Seneweb on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, Yahya Dièye, a microbiologist at the Pasteur Institute in Dakar, confirmed that it was a salmonella outbreak. He detailed the behind-the-scenes work involved in tracking the bacteria, testing for antibiotic resistance, and coordinating with the Ministry of Health, explaining the analyses that led to the infection being declared under control.

Long described as a "mysterious illness," the ailment that caused a wave of hospitalizations in Kébémer (Louga region) now has a name: salmonellosis. Analyses carried out at the Pasteur Institute in Dakar have identified the responsible bacterium. Yahya Dièye, a microbiologist at the Institute and a lecturer at the Higher Polytechnic School (ESP), sheds light on the laboratory investigations, the risks of antibiotic resistance, and the measures taken to address this outbreak.

The mystery is beginning to unravel in Kébémer. Behind the numerous cases of patients admitted to health facilities lay a bacterial infection: salmonella. This is the conclusion drawn from analyses carried out by the Pasteur Institute of Dakar, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Action.

In an interview with Seneweb this Wednesday, Yahya Dièye explained how the scientific teams identified the responsible germ. According to him, as soon as an epidemic is reported, the ministry sends samples to the laboratory to determine the origin of the infection. "Our job is to identify the germ in question: which microbe caused the fever?" he explained.

The samples received undergo several tests to precisely identify the infectious agent. In Kébémer's case, the investigations revealed salmonella. But for microbiologists, identifying the bacteria is not enough: it must also be isolated and its behavior studied to better understand its characteristics and guide treatment.

The fear of antibiotic-resistant bacteria

The other key aspect of the analyses concerns antibiotic resistance. Indeed, some bacterial strains can develop resistance to commonly prescribed treatments, making them more difficult to manage. This is why the teams at the Pasteur Institute also conducted tests to verify the sensitivity of the isolated strain to available treatments.

“Is this a resistant strain?” wonders the microbiologist, who emphasizes the importance of this verification before determining the appropriate treatments. Yahya Dièye explains that the investigations carried out over the weekend allowed them to isolate and identify the germ, and then to examine the treatments to which it might be susceptible.

The specialist points out that several other infectious agents can cause similar symptoms. He cites cholera, shigellosis, and listeriosis, as well as viral and parasitic infections. Only laboratory tests can distinguish between these different diseases and establish a precise diagnosis.

The ministry announces that the situation is under control.

For the microbiologist, surveillance doesn't stop at identifying the bacteria. Studying its behavior also helps determine whether the germ corresponds to a strain already observed in the country or if it presents particular characteristics. He notes, in this regard, that salmonella outbreaks have already been observed in certain regions of Senegal. The unique aspect of the Kébémer outbreak lies in the extent of the symptoms observed.

In this response, the Pasteur Institute is working closely with the Ministry of Health, which is coordinating operations. The results of the analyses are transmitted to the Ministry so that it can make the necessary public health decisions. At this stage, Yahya Dièye agrees with the assessment of the health authorities: the situation is now under control. This announcement should reassure the public, even though monitoring and vigilance remain essential.