Dengue fever outbreak in Puntland State, Somalia, November 2022-May 2023

Abstract

Dengue infection is a mosquito-borne, endemic viral disease, particularly in developing countries. Here, we report the results of the clinicodemographic, serologic profile, and monthly occurrence of a recent dengue fever outbreak in Puntland State (Somalia). We analyzed the data of 956 dengue-suspected patients who were investigated using the rapid diagnostic testing (RDTs) method for detecting NS1 (dengue virus non-structural protein) and IgM antibodies employing the SD Biosensor Dengue Dou NS Ag and IgM test kit (Germany) at the Puntland Public Health Referral Laboratory in the period from November 21, 2022, to May 27, 2023. We found that 118 cases were positive for dengue among the suspected patients enrolled in the present study. Of these cases, 86.4% were dengue NSI positive, and 23.7% were dengue IgM positive. The number of females and males in the confirmed cases was equal, and most (48.3%) were aged 20 years or less. 43.1% of them lived in the Nugal region, particularly in Garowe. Clinically, fever was the most frequent symptom (88.9%). The cases peaked in December 2022 but dropped from January to March, with a slight rise in February, and then increased in April and May 2023. We recommend improving vector control measures, strengthening dengue surveillance, developing an early warning system, and future studies to characterize the circulating strains.