An epidemic of dengue fever, a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, has been declared since March 22 in Côte d’Ivoire, mainly affecting Abidjan and killing one out of 11 recorded cases, announced the Ivorian Ministry of Health.
“11 confirmed cases of dengue have been detected in Côte d’Ivoire, mainly in the autonomous district of Abidjan”noted Le Vigilean official publication of the Ministry of Health.
There are nine cases from Abidjan and two cases from the towns of Adiaké, 90 km east of the Ivorian economic capital of 5.6 million inhabitants, and Daloa (center-west), according to the Ministry.
Dengue Fever
Dengue fever is characterized by the sudden onset of high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, and pain in the muscles and joints. Some may also have a rash and varying degrees of bleeding in various parts of the body (including the nose, mouth and gums or bruising).
Symptomatic illness can range from dengue fever to hemorrhagic fever which is more severe.
Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a more severe form, seen only in a small proportion of infected people.
Dengue hemorrhagic fever
Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a disease characterized by 3 phases; febrile phase with continuous high fever usually less than 7 days; critical phase (plasma leakage) lasting 1-2 days, usually apparent when fever subsides, resulting in shock if not detected and treated promptly; convalescent phase lasting 2-5 days with improved appetite, bradycardia (increased heart rate), convalescent rash (white patches on a red background), often accompanied by generalized itching (more intense in the palms and the soles of the feet) and diuresis (increased urine output).
Dengue shock syndrome is a dangerous complication of dengue fever and is associated with high mortality. Severe dengue occurs as a result of secondary infection with a different virus Increased vascular permeability, together with myocardial dysfunction and dehydration, contributes to shock resulting in multi-organ failure.
Note that in 2019, the WHO declared a Dengue epidemic in Côte d’Ivoire