Senegal: fishermen affected by a "mysterious disease" of the skin
The pirogues at the quayside at Soumbédioune, Dakar, Senegal, November 2020. RFI / Charlotte Idrac
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3 min
In Thiaroye, in the suburbs of Dakar, fishermen returned from their sea trip this week with pustules and pimples on their skin.
The causes are not yet known, but the trail of pollution is mainly advanced.
Publicity
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With our correspondent in Dakar,
Théa Ollivier
A "
mysterious disease
" has affected around 600 people since Tuesday, November 17.
Several ministers then went there and a crisis committee was set up.
The fishing pier of Thiaroye sur mer, on the outskirts of Dakar, is deserted by boats.
All activities at sea are suspended, the time to learn more about the disease affecting fishermen.
This measure worries Pape Seck, canoe captain, from a village east of Dakar: "
it's very difficult not to work because I have to feed the family back in the village
".
Pope Seck is emerging from three days in hospital where he began treatment for the pimples that had spread on his nose, hands and lips.
“
It hurts a lot, especially when the sea air or sea water passes over the buttons.
It hurts a lot anyway.
I think it is the wastewater that is in the sea that is the cause of this disease because when the water touches me, it stings my skin
”.
Ibrahim Mbaye, Departmental Fisheries Inspector of Pikine calls for the patience of fishermen, for their health but also for that of fish consumers: “
So far, we have not had any contaminated fish species, but there are no 'prevents that there are results that we expect, especially fish that are in the area where the pollution is suspected.
We took some cash over there and we are now awaiting lab analyzes
”.
According to the Ministry of Health, the first cases are starting to heal and no contamination has been found for the moment at the level of the population.
► To listen: Senegal: what future for fishing?
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