APA – Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) – Burkina has recorded several thousand cases of dengue fever, resulting in dozens of deaths in the country’s two main cities.
In the central region, where the capital Ouagadougou is located, “we have a cumulative total of 5,907 suspected cases, with 2,565 probable cases,” reported Dr. Hamed Ouédraogo, director of public health protection at the Ministry of Health.
As for the Hauts-Bassins region (Bobo-Dioulasso, the economic capital), “we have 4268 suspected cases and 1674 probable cases,” the doctor added, explaining that a “suspected case” is a patient with symptoms who has not yet undergone health tests.
The two regions are the most affected by dengue in 2023. The disease has caused the death of 49 people, including 38 in Bobo-Dioulasso alone, Dr. Ouédraogo said.
The director of population health protection spoke of an “epidemic outbreak” during this rainy season.
“I would like everyone to look around their homes and communities and try to get rid of all used tires, jars and hand-washing facilities that are no longer in use,” said Dr. Hamed Ouédraogo.
In public services and businesses, he suggested the use of insecticides.
Dr. Ouédraogo also advised people to “go to a health centre as soon as you have a persistent fever, eye pain or muscle pain.
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