A two-day workshop was held in Kaolack to strengthen the capacity of health workers, community organizations, and the media in managing the infodemic. Organized with the Regional Health Directorate, this training is part of the response to Rift Valley fever (RVF), as well as dengue fever and Mpost-inflammatory disease (MID).

According to Birahim, an advisor at the National Service for Education and Health and Social Information, the objective was to raise awareness about the massive circulation of unverified information during health crises. He explained that social media and other media outlets disseminate a great deal of content from unknown sources, mixing real facts, rumors, and misinformation, which disorients the public. The workshop therefore aimed to strengthen skills in verifying, monitoring, and disseminating reliable content, while also emphasizing the need to involve journalists, considered guardians in the information chain.

The approach is multisectoral because Rift Valley fever (RVF) has impacts on human and animal health, the environment, and trade. Under the governor's coordination, an action plan has been developed to organize priority responses, curb the spread of the disease, and strengthen early intervention at the community level.

For the regional director of Livestock, Dr. Khady Ndiaye, the workshop was also an opportunity to address misinformation and disinformation, which can hinder the management of the epidemic. Kaolack has recorded 14 confirmed animal cases out of 44 abortions to date: four in Guinguinéo, two in Nioro, and eight in Kaolack. A total of 3,800 animals have been vaccinated.