Health officials in the Central African Republic are raising concerns over a surge in dengue cases.
According to Health Minister Pierre Somse, authorities have recorded an “unprecedented” 13 dengue cases in the capital Bangui and its surrounding areas since July.
Dengue, a mosquito-borne viral infection, is common in tropical and subtropical regions.
While typically not fatal, severe dengue can lead to complications and even death.
The World Health Organization estimates that between 100 million and 400 million dengue cases occur worldwide each year.
The recent outbreak in the Central African Republic marks a significant increase in the country’s reported cases.
Somse emphasized the importance of early detection and treatment to reduce the fatality rate associated with severe dengue.
He urged the public to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites, such as using insect repellent and sleeping under mosquito nets.
This dengue outbreak comes on the heels of an mpox outbreak that affected the Central African Republic last month.
The country’s health system is facing increasing challenges in managing multiple infectious diseases.