OUAGADOUGOU — As of August 11, 2024, the Central region of Burkina Faso has reported 21 deaths due to Dengue fever, contributing to a national total of 51 fatalities this year, according to the Regional Directorate of Health and Public Hygiene.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Engineer in Sanitary Engineering and Head of the Health Promotion Department at the Central Regional Health Directorate, there has been a notable increase in Dengue cases in 2024 compared to the previous years. Mr. Coulibaly attributed the rise in cases primarily to poor sanitary conditions in Ouagadougou, where stagnant water provides breeding grounds for mosquitoes. He addressed these concerns during a recent information and awareness session for media representatives and bloggers on combating Dengue in the region.
Dengue fever, a neglected tropical disease transmitted by the Aedes mosquito, often strikes during daytime hours. Mr. Coulibaly emphasized the absence of a direct treatment for the Dengue virus but noted that managing symptoms and complications can significantly reduce mortality rates. He strongly advised against self-medication and the use of certain anti-inflammatory drugs, which can exacerbate the disease’s bleeding symptoms.
The session also covered methods of larval control to combat the spread of Dengue, including environmental modifications, the introduction of larvivorous fish and bacteria for biological control, and the use of biolarvicides for chemical control. These measures aim to reduce the mosquito population and minimize future outbreaks.
The awareness campaign is part of ongoing efforts to educate the public and media on the dangers of Dengue, a disease first identified in Burkina Faso in 1925.
