February 17, 2024. Dengue in Mauritania. This can also happen in desert areas.

AdminFebruary 17, 2024

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February 17, 2024

First epidemic dengue confirmed by laboratory in Mauritania This happened in Nouakchott, the capital of the country located in the Sahara Desert, in 2014. All samples obtained during that year’s epidemic were dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2). Within each serotype, strains are phylogenetically grouped into genotypes.

In Mauritania, changes in climate, environment and human behavior are contributing to the emergence of Aedes mosquitoes. An entomological investigation carried out in Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania, in mid-2014 revealed the creation Ae. Egypt. Since then he has been caught regularly.

Phylogenetic analysis of these strains, as well as other DENV-2 strains obtained from travelers returning from West African countries to France between 2016 and 2019 (including two Mauritanian strains in 2017 and 2018), suggested a recent emergence of the epidemic strain of cosmopolitan genotype. belonging to cosmopolitan line II from West Africa, which is genetically different from the African jungle genotype.

The origin of this DENV-2 lineage is still unknown, but preliminary data appears to suggest a recent and rapid spread of the epidemic strain throughout the region.

Other studies conducted in the country also found the presence of DENV-1 in two samples.

After the dengue epidemic in Nouakchott in 2014, the Mauritanian Ministry of Health reported other dengue epidemics until 2020, not only in Nouakchott, but also in northern cities of Mauritania. Tie And Zouerate.

Other countries sharing a border with Mauritania have reported an increase in sporadic cases and epidemics of dengue in recent years. Therefore, it is necessary to be attentive to the appearance of the disease in such conditions. There is an urgent need for surveillance and forecasting of DENV and arbovirus outbreaks in West Africa.

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