Dengue prevalence in Burkina Faso in 2024

Abstract Introduction: Dengue fever, a viral disease caused by arboviruses of the Flaviviridae family and transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, remains a major public health challenge worldwide. In Burkina Faso, dengue has been endemic since 2013, with recurrent outbreaks despite vector control efforts and the establishment of sentinel surveillance in 2017. In 2023 the most severely affected countries by a large-scale dengue outbreak on the African continent. The 2024 study aims to analyze this dynamic to strengthen the national health response. Methodology: The retrospective study conducted in 2024 at the National Reference Laboratory for Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (LNR-FHV) analyzed 6,048 serum samples collected from suspected or probable dengue cases as part of national surveillance. Samples were transported under cold chain condition, and diagnostic methods varied according to the interval between symptom onset and sample collection. RT-PCR was used cases within 5 days, combined RT-PCR and ELISA for 5 to 7 days and ELISA alone for more than 7 days. RT-PCR positive sample were further serotyped. Sociodemographic data and ELISA/RT-PCR results were analyzed with R 4.4.1 at a 95% confidence interval. Descriptive and statistical analyses, including Chi‑square, Welch t‑test, Fisher’s exact test, and logistic regressions, were performed to identify risk factors and describe monthly trends. Results: The results revealed a predominance of female patients among suspected cases, but confirmed cases showed a slight male majority. Adults aged 25-64 years were the most affected group, representing 58.77% of confirmed infections. Temporal analysis indicated peaks in suspected cases in October and confirmed cases in November. The overall prevalence among suspected and probable cases was 9.29%. Three serotypes (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3) co-circulated, with DENV-1 being predominant (58.96%). Conclusions: These findings confirm active dengue virus circulation in Burkina Faso and underscore the urgent need to reinforce, surveillance, and response strategies. Strengthening laboratory capacity, vector control, and public awareness will be essential to mitigate future outbreaks and reduce the burden of this neglected tropical disease.