Rise in Cases of Dengue Fever Leads to Hundreds of Deaths in Burkina Faso

A Rise in Cases of Dengue Fever Leads to Hundreds of Deaths in Burkina Faso

In the midst of the bloodiest outbreak in years, Burkina Faso’s health ministry has declared a dengue fever epidemic. Over 200 individuals have died, and the number of new cases is rapidly increasing.

According to a statement issued by the ministry on Wednesday, there have been 214 reported fatalities and 50,478 suspected cases of the mosquito-borne disease this year, with the majority of cases occurring in the cities of the capital, Ouagadougou, and Bobo Dioulasso. It said that last week alone saw the recording of 20% of the cases and deaths.

An estimated 20,000 people each year die from dengue worldwide. Since 2000, the disease has increased eightfold in prevalence, mostly due to urbanisation, increasing human travel, and climate change.

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The World Health Organisation issued a warning this month that the disease would pose a serious threat in new regions of Africa as warmer temperatures make it easier for mosquitoes to spread the infection.

Infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes carry dengue virus. Fever, muscle ache, nausea, and rashes are among the symptoms. In underdeveloped nations like Burkina Faso with patchy access to healthcare, misdiagnosis or lack of treatment both raise the risk of death.

The outbreak in Burkina Faso dwarfs those in Africa in recent years. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported that in Burkina Faso, dengue killed 18 individuals in 2017 and 15 in 2016, respectively.

According to the health ministry, in order to stop the spread, free fast diagnostic tests were being offered, and pesticide was being sprayed in public areas.

Reuters