In recent years, dengue fever has become one of the most concerning mosquito-borne viral diseases globally, and its risks clearly extend to the African continent, where many countries are recording increasing epidemic cases annually.

The disease continues to pose a major public health challenge in Africa due to weak surveillance systems, the increasing spread of its vectors, and environmental and social changes that contribute to the widening scope of transmission and infection.

What is dengue fever?

Dengue fever is a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bites of Aedes mosquitoes, especially Aedes aegypti, and is prevalent mainly in tropical and subtropical climates, including most African countries.

This fever causes flu-like symptoms including high fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, rash, nausea and vomiting, and in some cases it may develop into a serious illness involving internal bleeding, low blood pressure and even death if appropriate health care is not provided in a timely manner.

Disease spread in Africa

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Africa indicates that more than 15 African countries have reported confirmed or suspected cases of dengue fever in recent years, with millions of people living in areas where there is a continuing risk of infection. Among these countries are Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, and Cape Verde.

In some years, the number of reported cases has reached hundreds of thousands in the African region alone, with deaths related to the disease also occurring.

However, official statistics only represent the visible part of the problem. In many African countries, dengue fever is not listed among the diseases that can be compulsorily reported, and cases are often misdiagnosed as malaria or other fevers due to weak diagnostic infrastructure and a lack of medical awareness.

Studies indicate that the spread of the disease in Africa is wider than officially reported, as epidemiological evidence and effects of prior immunity have been found in areas where no official cases have been recorded, reflecting a significant underestimation of virus transmission.

Causes of dengue fever spread

The spread of dengue fever in Africa is linked to several environmental and social factors:

-Unplanned urban expansion and overcrowding in urban areas provide suitable environments for mosquito breeding.

Climate change, which affects rainfall patterns and temperatures, extends the mosquito breeding season.

-Increased international travel, which contributes to the transmission of the virus between countries and regions.

- Weak monitoring and case recording systems, which leads to a decrease in early detection and rapid response.