Mysterious disease now spreading in African countries; patients complain of rashes, swelling, and redness of eyes

More than 500 fishermen have reportedly been hit by an infectious skin disease in Senegal.

The men, from several fishing towns near the capital of Dakar, are said to have contracted the condition while away at sea.

They are now in quarantine while receiving medical treatment, the country’s director of health information and education said.The first known case is thought to have been a 20-year-old on 17 November reporting symptoms including a blistered rash, swelling of the face, dry lips and redness of the eyes. Abdoulaye Diouf Sarr, minister of health and social action, on Friday confirmed the cause of the disease was not viral.

Senegal’s Ministry of Health and Social Action said measures had been brought in while officials continue to investigate, including a ban on going to sea expected to last for several days.

A report by the ministry said the symptoms suffered by the men included “lesions on their faces, extremities and, for some, on their genitals” as well as headaches and slightly elevated temperatures. “Among the measures taken, leave the governor in charge, the ban on going to sea for several days, the strengthening of the medical device around the districts, the continuation of the investigations.”