How the outbreak unfolded

According to official reports, 50,478 suspected cases were recorded between January and mid-October, including 25,502 probable cases and 214 fatalities. The situation worsened dramatically in mid-October, with 10,117 new suspected cases, 4,377 probable cases, and 48 deaths reported in just one week.

Dengue and chikungunya: a dual threat

The outbreak has also brought attention to chikungunya, another mosquito-borne disease. Since September, more than 200 cases have been confirmed, according to Health Minister Robert Lucien Jean-Claude Kargougou.

Why is this outbreak so severe?

The surge in cases is linked to rising temperatures and increased rainfall, creating ideal conditions for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes to thrive. These mosquitoes, also known as “tiger mosquitoes,” are aggressive daytime biters that spread both dengue and chikungunya.

Government response

Authorities have implemented several measures to combat the outbreak, including:

• Free rapid diagnostic tests in public health facilities
• Large-scale mosquito control spraying campaigns in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso

Understanding dengue fever

Dengue has been present in Burkina Faso since the 1960s, but the first major outbreak occurred in 2017, resulting in 13 deaths. Transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito, dengue symptoms often resemble those of the flu, including:

• High fever
• Severe headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Muscle and joint pain
• In severe cases, life-threatening bleeding

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), dengue infects between 100 and 400 million people annually, primarily in tropical and subtropical regions.