Dengue Fever and Its Burden in Burkina Faso: An Overview

Area of Science:

• Arbovirology
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Dengue fever, caused by the dengue virus, is endemic in Burkina Faso.
• Increasing incidence and public health impact necessitate comprehensive management strategies.
• Factors like vector spread, meteorological conditions, and viral serotypes influence disease dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss dengue fever and factors contributing to its underestimated burden in Burkina Faso.
• To review government documents and published data on dengue fever management.
• To advocate for enhanced surveillance and control of this neglected tropical disease.

Main Methods:

• Review of government documents and published literature on dengue fever in Burkina Faso.
• Analysis of factors contributing to disease underestimation.
• Discussion of current management strategies and their effectiveness.

Main Results:

• Dengue fever's burden is likely underestimated due to challenges in diagnosis and surveillance.
• Limited access to diagnostics, inadequate surveillance systems, and lack of awareness contribute to underestimation.
• Ongoing conflicts and co-existing endemic diseases with similar symptoms complicate accurate assessment.

Conclusions:

• Effective dengue fever management requires integrated approaches including community engagement and mosquito control.
• Improved surveillance, diagnostic capacity, and healthcare worker awareness are crucial for accurate burden assessment.
• Strengthening public health measures is vital to control dengue fever in Burkina Faso.