Dengue in Africa
08 Jan 2024
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports continuing widespread transmission of dengue fever in African countries.
The following countries have reported dengue cases from 1 January 2023 to 19 December 2023:
Benin: 6 cases (1 death)
Burkina Faso: 146 878 cases (688 deaths)
Cabo Verde: 410 cases
Chad: 1 342 cases (1 death)
Côte d'Ivoire: 3 895 cases (27 deaths)
Ethiopia: 14 249 cases (7 deaths)
Ghana: 18 cases
Guinea: 1 case
Mali: 4 427 cases (29 deaths)
Mauritius: 265 cases
Niger: 148 cases
Nigeria: 72 cases
Sao Tome and Principe: 69 cases
Senegal: 203 cases
Togo: 8 cases
Advice for Travellers
Dengue is an infection spread by mosquito bites and can cause a severe flu-like illness.
The mosquitoes which transmit dengue bite during the day, between dawn and dusk. They are particularly persistent and aggressive.
If you are travelling to an affected region, you are potentially at risk of dengue fever and should be aware of this infection.
- You can protect yourself by avoiding mosquito bites at all times.
If you develop a high temperature (fever) either during or after travelling to an affected area, you should seek medical advice as soon as possible and give details of your recent travel history.
For further information see the dengue fever page.