Chad reports 8 dengue-related deaths, 252 confirmed cases

YAOUNDE, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chad has recorded more than 3,000 suspected dengue cases, 252 confirmed cases and eight deaths, health authorities said Tuesday, warning that the fever has now become a public health concern in the Central African nation.

This photo taken on Jan. 7, 2025 shows a street view in N'Djamena, Chad. (File photo: Xinhua)

Officials from the country's Ministry of Public Health outlined the epidemiological situation at a press conference held Tuesday morning.

Fissou Henry Yandai, the ministry's dengue incident manager, said the outbreak began in the east of the country before spreading to five other provinces.

Several measures have been implemented to contain the outbreak, Yandai said, stressing the need to strengthen the public health response.

Dissia Fitouin, coordinator of the Public Health Emergency Operations Center, called for individual and collective preventive measures, including sleeping under mosquito nets, wearing long-sleeved clothing and keeping drainage channels clear to reduce mosquito breeding.

Environmental sanitation and these preventive measures are essential to curb transmission, he said.

Health officials noted that dengue is transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes and urged the public to remain vigilant, improve environmental sanitation and seek medical care early to help contain the outbreak.