Dengue expansion in Africa-not recognized or not happening?

Abstract

An expert conference on Dengue in Africa was held in Accra, Ghana, in February 2013 to consider key questions regarding the possible expansion of dengue in Africa. Four key action points were highlighted to advance our understanding of the epidemiology of dengue in Africa. First, dengue diagnostic tools must be made more widely available in the healthcare setting in Africa. Second, representative data need to be collected across Africa to uncover the true burden of dengue. Third, established networks should collaborate to produce these types of data. Fourth, policy needs to be informed so the necessary steps can be taken to provide dengue vector control and health services.

Figure

Dengue risk for Africa based on environmental niche modeling (3) and location of International Network for the Demographic Evaluation of Populations and Their Health (INDEPTH) member sites; Pasteur International Network Laboratories; and other reference laboratories (Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville, Franceville, Gabon; Kenya Medical Research Institute/US Army Medical Research Unit, Nairobi, Kenya; and National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa).