Dengue Fever in Ethiopia, Mali, Mauritius, Sao Tome and Principe and Senegal

The Arican Centre for Disease Control has recorded almost 6,800 suspected and confirmed cases of dengue fever in five countries, specifically Ethiopia, Mali, Mauritius, Sao Tome and Principe and Senegal. The lowest number of cases was reported in Sao Tome and Principe (9 cases) and the highest in Mauritius (2433 cases). Four deaths occurred due to this infectious disease.

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The risk of exposure will vary from place to place and may be high in many localities where dengue fever carrying mosquitoes are found. The risk of acquiring dengue during travel depends on the destination, season and duration of trip and activities during travel. Severe dengue and death are relatively rare in general travellers but more frequently in those visiting friends and relatives.

All travellers to areas where the dengue fever virus is active can reduce their risk of exposure by taking all necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Many persons with dengue fever do not seek medical care and are not reported to health authorities. There may be many more cases in the community than the reports indicate.

Travellers should also be aware that where the dengue fever virus is active, there is a possibility in some locations that the chikungunya virus may be present also since it is transmitted by the same mosquito that transmits the dengue virus.