Dengue outbreak in Burkina Faso: rising cases and health measures
Burkina Faso faces unprecedented dengue fever outbreak
An alarming dengue fever outbreak has claimed 214 lives in Burkina Faso since January 1, primarily in the capital Ouagadougou and the country’s second-largest city, Bobo-Dioulasso, as announced by national health authorities.
Since early 2023, the Aedes albopictus mosquito—commonly known as the tiger mosquito—has been spreading rapidly across Burkina Faso. This proliferation has triggered a severe dengue and chikungunya epidemic in the region.
According to official government data, from January 1 to October 15, 2023, health authorities recorded 50,478 suspected dengue cases, including 25,502 probable cases and 214 deaths. The situation remains critical, with 10,117 new suspected cases, including 4,377 probable cases and 48 deaths, reported between October 9 and 15 alone.
In addition to dengue, the chikungunya virus has also been detected, with over 200 cases documented since September. Dengue fever, which can mimic flu symptoms or lead to fatal complications, continues to spread in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso.
Government response and preventive measures
The Burkina Faso Ministry of Health has implemented several measures to combat the outbreak, including:
- Free rapid diagnostic tests in public health facilities
- Large-scale mosquito control campaigns in the most affected areas
The rise in temperatures and frequent heavy rainfall have created ideal conditions for mosquito breeding, accelerating the spread of the virus.
Understanding dengue fever
Dengue fever has been present in Burkina Faso since the 1960s, with the first documented epidemic occurring in 2017, resulting in 13 deaths. Transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, dengue shares symptoms with malaria, including high fever, headaches, nausea, muscle pain, and, in severe cases, life-threatening hemorrhages.
The World Health Organization estimates that dengue infects between 100 and 400 million people globally each year, predominantly in tropical and subtropical regions. Urban and semi-urban areas are particularly vulnerable to outbreaks.