Dengue Fever in Angola
19 Jun 2013
The dengue fever outbreak in Luanda province in the northwest coast of Angola is ongoing. As of 31 May 2013, a total of 517 suspected dengue fever cases had been reported, of those 313 have been confirmed as positive for dengue virus infection (DENV-1). All but two of the reported cases occurred in Lunada province, the other two cases were identified in Malanje province in the central north of the country.
Laboratory-confirmed dengue fever has been reported from seven countries among individuals who had recently travelled to Luanda, including 79 travellers from Portugal. Angola is the third of four African countries to report a dengue outbreak in 2013.
Advice for Travellers
Travellers should be aware of the risk of dengue fever. Avoidance of mosquito bites, particularly during daylight hours, by covering up with clothing, the use of bite avoidance measures such as repellent and bed nets is advised. Elimination of breeding sites around hotel rooms/houses is advised for longer term stays.