The head of the regional hygiene brigade of Thiès, Captain Armand Seck, officially launched the prevention and awareness activities for the 2026 edition of the Marian pilgrimage to Popenguine on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

For this campaign, 60 hygiene officers and 20 community workers have been mobilized. These teams will be tasked with raising awareness among the population and pilgrims, as well as preventing health risks associated with the religious gathering.

In this context, all sites and places intended to receive the public will be subject to disinfection and disinsection operations in order to guarantee a healthy environment for the faithful expected at the Marian shrine.

This year, the regional hygiene brigade is innovating by involving women's groups and neighborhood representatives in awareness and prevention activities. This participatory approach aims to strengthen ties with the community and improve the dissemination of public health messages.

Captain Armand Seck also drew the pilgrims' attention to the dangers of consuming meals prepared and transported to the pilgrimage site. He recalled that several cases of food poisoning had been recorded during the last pilgrimage. "We ask pilgrims not to cook or consume meals brought to Popenguine in order to avoid any risk of food poisoning," he advised.

Furthermore, the Popenguine hygiene sub-brigade is already mobilized to inspect establishments open to the public and to support staff in large food service establishments. The stated objective of the health authorities is to guarantee a pilgrimage focused on health safety and prevention.