Dengue is an emerging problem in Africa. Since the beginning of 2024, 50,370 cases have been reported (10,535 confirmed, 6,830 probable, and 33,005 suspected), with 63 deaths in 13 member states of the African Union, with Burkina Faso being the country with the highest number of cases (30,865 cases and 47 deaths).
In 2023, more than 280,000 cases were reported in total, including over 800 deaths. Active virus transmission was reported in 15 countries.
The continent has little clinical experience with the disease, many primary infections go undetected, and funding limitations hinder preparation and response. Already, 50% of the population lives in unplanned urban environments, a proportion that will increase to 62% by 2050. Mitigation measures to address dengue from the outset as part of urban development will be crucial. Following a severe outbreak in Burkina Faso in 2023 and the decline in malaria cases, which might have masked dengue in the past, there is much more awareness about dengue and the need to address response and reporting.
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