Epidemiology of dengue fever in Somaliland: clinical features, and serological patterns from a retrospective study
Abstract Background Dengue fever is a significant global public health concern. However, its epidemiology in Somaliland remains poorly characterized. This study aimed to provide comprehensive data on the clinical presentation, demographic characteristics, and serological patterns of dengue fever in...
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2025-02-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-10558-6 |
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| author | Dek Kahin Yosef Ahmed Saeed Ismail Barwaqo Saleban Awil Halima Ahmed Hassan Mohamed Ahmed Hassan |
| author_facet | Dek Kahin Yosef Ahmed Saeed Ismail Barwaqo Saleban Awil Halima Ahmed Hassan Mohamed Ahmed Hassan |
| author_sort | Dek Kahin Yosef |
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| description | Abstract Background Dengue fever is a significant global public health concern. However, its epidemiology in Somaliland remains poorly characterized. This study aimed to provide comprehensive data on the clinical presentation, demographic characteristics, and serological patterns of dengue fever in Somaliland. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1,410 suspected dengue cases from public hospital laboratories in Somaliland between January and September 2024. Demographic data, clinical symptoms, and results of rapid diagnostic tests for dengue NS1 antigen and IgM antibodies were analyzed. Results Of the 1,410 suspected cases, 175 (12.41%) tested positive for dengue. The majority of the patients were male (60.57%) and aged 19–38 years (45.1%). Most cases were from urban areas (58.9%). Common symptoms included fever, vomiting, nausea (86.7%), GIT problems (86.12%) were the predominant symptom of patients. Serological testing revealed 84.57% NS1 positivity, 8.57% IgM positivity, and 6.85% positivity. The peak incidence was observed in June. Only 8.67% of the patients required hospitalization. Among these 8 cases (53.3%), as sever dengue and 7 (46.6%) were dengue with warning signs. Conclusion This study provides initial insights into the epidemiology of dengue in Somaliland, though further research is needed to establish robust baseline data, highlighting its prevalence, particularly in urban adults. These preliminary findings suggest a potential need for enhanced surveillance and public health measures, pending confirmation from larger studies to address the emerging arboviral diseases in this region. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d15e043576a445188cb2c16298f7ab68 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2334 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | BMC Infectious Diseases |
| spelling | doaj-art-d15e043576a445188cb2c16298f7ab682025-02-09T12:14:33ZengBMCBMC Infectious Diseases1471-23342025-02-012511910.1186/s12879-025-10558-6Epidemiology of dengue fever in Somaliland: clinical features, and serological patterns from a retrospective studyDek Kahin Yosef0Ahmed Saeed Ismail1Barwaqo Saleban Awil2Halima Ahmed Hassan3Mohamed Ahmed Hassan4School of Medical Laboratory Science and Department of Microbiology and Veterinary Public Health, University of BuraoDepartment of Microbiology and Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of BuraoSchool of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Medical and Health Science, Edna Aden UniversityDepartment of Microbiology and Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of BuraoDepartment of Microbiology and Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of BuraoAbstract Background Dengue fever is a significant global public health concern. However, its epidemiology in Somaliland remains poorly characterized. This study aimed to provide comprehensive data on the clinical presentation, demographic characteristics, and serological patterns of dengue fever in Somaliland. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1,410 suspected dengue cases from public hospital laboratories in Somaliland between January and September 2024. Demographic data, clinical symptoms, and results of rapid diagnostic tests for dengue NS1 antigen and IgM antibodies were analyzed. Results Of the 1,410 suspected cases, 175 (12.41%) tested positive for dengue. The majority of the patients were male (60.57%) and aged 19–38 years (45.1%). Most cases were from urban areas (58.9%). Common symptoms included fever, vomiting, nausea (86.7%), GIT problems (86.12%) were the predominant symptom of patients. Serological testing revealed 84.57% NS1 positivity, 8.57% IgM positivity, and 6.85% positivity. The peak incidence was observed in June. Only 8.67% of the patients required hospitalization. Among these 8 cases (53.3%), as sever dengue and 7 (46.6%) were dengue with warning signs. Conclusion This study provides initial insights into the epidemiology of dengue in Somaliland, though further research is needed to establish robust baseline data, highlighting its prevalence, particularly in urban adults. These preliminary findings suggest a potential need for enhanced surveillance and public health measures, pending confirmation from larger studies to address the emerging arboviral diseases in this region.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-10558-6DengueEpidemiologyClinical symptomsPublic health strategiesDiagnostic capabilitiesSerological profiles |
| spellingShingle | Dek Kahin Yosef Ahmed Saeed Ismail Barwaqo Saleban Awil Halima Ahmed Hassan Mohamed Ahmed Hassan Epidemiology of dengue fever in Somaliland: clinical features, and serological patterns from a retrospective study BMC Infectious Diseases Dengue Epidemiology Clinical symptoms Public health strategies Diagnostic capabilities Serological profiles |
| title | Epidemiology of dengue fever in Somaliland: clinical features, and serological patterns from a retrospective study |
| title_full | Epidemiology of dengue fever in Somaliland: clinical features, and serological patterns from a retrospective study |
| title_fullStr | Epidemiology of dengue fever in Somaliland: clinical features, and serological patterns from a retrospective study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Epidemiology of dengue fever in Somaliland: clinical features, and serological patterns from a retrospective study |
| title_short | Epidemiology of dengue fever in Somaliland: clinical features, and serological patterns from a retrospective study |
| title_sort | epidemiology of dengue fever in somaliland clinical features and serological patterns from a retrospective study |
| topic | Dengue Epidemiology Clinical symptoms Public health strategies Diagnostic capabilities Serological profiles |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-10558-6 |
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