Dengue Outbreaks Reconfirmed in Africa and the Middle East

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reissued a Travel Health Advisory regarding dengue outbreaks in Africa and the Middle East.

While over 120 countries have recently reported dengue cases, the CDC's Level 1 - Practice Usual Precautions notice issued on July 21, 2023, highlights dengue outbreaks in Egypt, Mauritius, São Tomé and Príncipe, Somalia, and Sudan.

These countries are reporting higher-than-usual numbers of dengue cases, and travelers visiting these countries may be at increased health risk.

This CDC notice was initially published on August 27, 2019.

In the U.S., Florida issued a state-based alert in 2023 regarding both locally-acquired and travel-related dengue cases.

Dengue is a vaccine-preventable disease caused by viruses spread through mosquito bites. The disease can take up to 2 weeks to develop, with illness generally lasting less than a week.

In severe cases, health effects can include bleeding, shock, organ failure, and death. 

Recently, dengue outbreaks of significant magnitude have been recorded in the Region of the Americas, with close to three million suspected and confirmed cases of dengue reported in 2023.

As of July 23, 2023, two dengue vaccines are being offered in certain countries.