Cumulative cases since outbreak start — WHO AFRO bulletin dated 2026-03-29
Official report date — in isolated zones, field onset typically precedes this by days to weeks.
The exact nature of this date (week of confirmation, transmission period, or bulletin publication date) is not specified by the source.
Between 1 January 2025 and 29 March 2026, 1439 confirmed diphtheria cases and 56 deaths were recorded in Mauritania. Fourteen of the country's 15 wilayas are affected, with cases concentrated in Hodh El Chargui (862 cases). The Bassiknou district, which includes the Mbera refugee camp near the Malian border, accounts for 602 cases. WHO reports a general downward trend since early 2026, while response efforts continue: case monitoring, faster treatment, availability of azithromycin and diphtheria antitoxin, and vaccination around identified cases.
Case trend
First actions
- →Log in national surveillance system — continue routine monitoring
- →Compare with seasonal baseline for this region and disease
- →Include in weekly surveillance briefing — escalate if trend worsens (▲ cases or CFR)
Cite this page (Vancouver)
HealthWatch Global. Diphtheria outbreak — Mauritania [Internet]. 2026-03-29 [cited 2026 Aug 19]. Available from: https://healthwatch-global.com/en/outbreak/da2140e7-99c9-4aa4-b522-73128bddf56c. Data source: WHO AFRO.
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