Ouagadougou: The Liptako/Soum region recorded, in the 28th week of 2026, 5,001 severe cases of malaria, 2,032 cases of measles, 881 suspected cases of dengue, 26 cases of meningitis, and 84 maternal deaths, according to data presented Monday in Dori during the first annual session of the Regional Committee for Epidemic Management (CRGE), chaired by the governor of the region, Abdoul Karim Zongo.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the report presented by the regional health director, Djibrilla Alou Maiga, shows that malaria remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the region. In the 28th week of the year, 5,001 severe cases were recorded, including 30 deaths, representing a case fatality rate of 0.6%. These cases represent 4.8% of the 103,072 cases recorded nationally. Compared to the same period in 2025, however, the situation has improved with a decrease of 2,256 cases and 45 deaths, the region having then recorded 7,257 serious cases and 75 deaths.
Measles also remains a concern, with 2,032 reported cases and 21 deaths, representing 17.6% of the 11,489 cases recorded in Burkina Faso. The regional case fatality rate is estimated at 1%. Dengue, for its part, totaled 881 suspected cases with no deaths, compared to 1,323 cases and two deaths in the same period in 2025, representing a decrease of 442 cases.
Health authorities stressed the need to strengthen epidemiological surveillance, rapid investigation of disease outbreaks, and patient care capacity. The committee also examined the situation regarding maternal deaths. A total of 84 deaths were recorded in the region, including 67 in the Dori health district, 12 in Gorom-Gorom, two in Djibo, two in Sebba, and one in the community. These deaths represent 13.6% of the 618 maternal deaths recorded in Burkina Faso. In nine years, the region has recorded a total of 1,039 maternal deaths, with an average of 115 deaths per year and a peak of 150 cases in 2024. Liptako/Soum thus ranks third nationally, behind the Kadiogo (132 cases) and Guiriko (81 cases) regions.
At the Dori Regional Hospital, 65 maternal deaths were recorded. More than half of the patients came from the Dori health district (34), followed by the districts of Tougouri (14), Gorom-Gorom (9), Manni (5), and Bogand© (3). Faced with this situation, Governor Abdoul Karim Zongo welcomed the support of the Red Cross, which contributed to the organization of this session, before inviting technical services, civil society organizations, NGOs, and technical and financial partners to strengthen their actions in order to improve health indicators.
The regional health director, for his part, urged the population to further clean up their living environment and to actively participate in the seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) campaign, the launch of which is imminent. According to him, this mobilization is essential during this winter period marked by a resurgence of malaria and dengue cases.
Although some indicators, particularly those for malaria and dengue, are down compared to the previous year, administrative and health authorities remain concerned about the scale of maternal deaths and measles. They call on all actors and communities to increase their mobilization to prevent epidemics and strengthen the protection of public health.