Authorities in Central Africa’s capital, Bangui, have recorded an “unprecedented” 13 dengue cases since July, according to Health Minister Pierre Somse.
The cases were confirmed by the Pasteur Institute, with infections detected between July and September 2024.
Dengue, a common virus in tropical regions, is transmitted through mosquito bites in both urban and semi-urban areas.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates there are between 100 million and 400 million cases of dengue globally each year.
Somse announced on Tuesday through a Facebook post, emphasizing the unusual nature of the outbreak.
He highlighted the need for vigilance, noting that while dengue can cause severe fever, it rarely leads to death.
The WHO stresses that there is no specific treatment for dengue, but early detection is crucial in reducing the fatality rate of severe cases.
Dengue shares similar symptoms with malaria, another mosquito-borne illness.
This recent outbreak comes just weeks after Central Africa, particularly Bangui, faced an mpox outbreak, further straining the region’s health resources.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.
