A caravan in the Sahara Deserts in Chad
N’Djamena/Geneva: Ever since the Ministry of Public Health and Prevention in Chad declared a dengue outbreak on August 15, 2023, there have been 1,342 suspected cases, including 41 confirmed cases reported across eight health districts in four provinces as of October 1, 2023. Among the confirmed cases, one death was reported.
This is the first dengue outbreak reported in Chad, and the country has limited surveillance, clinical and laboratory capabilities, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated today.
Given the favourable environmental conditions for mosquito spread, an ongoing humanitarian crisis due to a massive influx of refugees and returnees from Sudan and limited response capacities, WHO assesses the risk posed by this outbreak as high at the national level.
Abéché health district in Ouaddaï province is the current epicentre of the outbreak. The Ministry of Public Health and Prevention stated it has initiated a number of key response activities by implementing, in collaboration with WHO and partners, the national contingency plan for dengue preparedness and response.
Dengue is a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Many dengue infections produce only mild flu-like illness and over 80% of cases are asymptomatic. There is no specific treatment for dengue; however, timely detection of cases and appropriate case management are key elements of care to prevent the severity and fatality of dengue, WHO said.
– global bihari bureau
