Ethiopia's Dengue Outbreak Accelerated in 2023

The World Health Organization (WHO) Africa Region recently reported two districts (Logia and Mille) of the Afar region in north-eastern Ethiopia are experiencing a Dengue fever outbreak.

The Mille district has reported the most dengue cases (96%).

As of May 10, 2023, a total of 1 638 suspected and confirmed dengue cases and nine associated deaths (CFR 0.5%) have been reported. 

Of the nine suspected deaths reported, four occurred at the health facility and five at the community level.

Ethiopia has had nearly annual outbreaks since 2013, devastating an already fragmented health system, says the WHO. Furthermore, dengue is a vaccine-preventable disease, with two vaccines available in 2023.

Other dengue outbreaks in 2023 are posted at Vax-Before-Travel.