Journal of Tropical Diseases & Public Health

Abstract

Clinical and Epidemiological Characterization of Dengue Outbreak in Cabo Verde, 2009-2010

Adilson José DePina, Moussa Brema Sangare, Abdoulaye Kane Dia, António Lima Moreira, Ibrahima Seck, Ousmane Faye and El Hadji

Background: Dengue fever is one of the most significant public health problems as a vector-borne disease in tropical and subtropical countries. Cabo Verde, a tropical country located in the Atlantic coast, has recorded cases of vector-borne diseases since the colonization of the islands. In 2009, for the first time, an outbreak of dengue has been detected in the country, namely in the Sotavento islands. In this study, we analyzed the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of dengue in Cabo Verde during the outbreak in 2009-2010 and the next years, until 2016.

Methods: Based on officially reported dengue cases from Cabo Verde during the outbreak 2009-2010, available through the national of vector-borne disease database, and the others residual cases until 2016, epidemiological and clinical characteristics were analyzed.

Results: A total of 25.088 of cases of dengue fever (DF) were recorded, being mainly (more than 99%) during the outbreak in 2009-2010 and 174 Haemorrhagic Dengue Fever (HDF) cases in the same year. In the next years, imported cases were notified and in 2016, other 4 indigenous cases were notified in the country. The majority of cases were reported in Santiago, the main island, especially in Praia, the capital, São Filipe, in Fogo and Maio. The principal symptoms during the outbreak were retro-orbital pain, fever and headache and the principal clinics' forms were the classic dengue, viruses, and dengue with warning signs, with 15.577, 7.150 and 2.344 cases respectively.

Conclusion: For the first time, the country experienced the dengue virus in its territory, with greater weight in Sotavento Islands. Due to the capacity of response, a few cases of death were recorded during the outbreak. The lessons learned from this epidemic resulted in an investment in all areas regarding the prevention and control of dengue and other arboviruses.