Dengue and chikungunya epidemics in West Africa: Togo on alert

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Extract from the article: Epidemics of dengue fever and chikungunya have been reported in some West African countries. These two haemorrhagic viral fevers, transmitted by mosquito bites, are becoming increasingly common in this part of the continent. Although there have been

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Epidemics of dengue fever and chikungunya have been reported in some West African countries. These two haemorrhagic viral fevers, transmitted by mosquito bites, are becoming increasingly common in this part of the continent. Although there have been no cases of contamination for the time being, Togo is on high alert.  In a press release issued on Thursday 28 September 2023, the Minister for Health, Pr Mousatapha Mijiyawa, set out measures to deal with the situation. These include maintaining a high level of alert to rapidly detect and notify cases, stepping up surveillance at entry points, organising the management of any cases, and raising public awareness.

Dengue and Chikungunya-related illnesses generally manifest themselves through non-specific signs such as fever, intense weakness, headaches, joint and/or muscle pain, nausea, vomiting or skin rashes.

Control measures should be adopted to reduce the risk of contracting these diseases: we recommend sleeping under impregnated mosquito nets or wearing clothing that covers the body as much as possible, eliminating solid waste, destroying larval breeding sites contained in tin cans or discarded kitchen utensils, and regularly cleaning up our environment. In the event of a suspicious case, people are invited to inform the staff at the nearest health centre so that they can be treated quickly.

Jean ELI