Background Dengue has become an alarming global problem and is endemic in many countries, particularly in
tropical and subtropical countries. The aim of this study was to investigate dengue fever outbreak in Banadir Region,
Somalia, to understand the risk factors (time, place, personal characteristics).
Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine the levels of circulating anti-dengue virus
antibodies and DENV NS1 antigen among Banadir Region residents, while a questionnaire survey was conducted to
understand the clinical and demographic characteristics of the patients.
Results A total of 735 febrile patients were studied, with 55.6% men and 44.3% women. The majority of the
participants were children aged 14 years and younger. Among them, 10.8% tested positive for IgM antibodies against
dengue virus (DENV), while the prevalence of DENV NS1 antigen was 11.8%. Fever and myalgia were the most
common symptoms observed in the DENV-positive patients.
Conclusions A dengue fever outbreak has been confirmed in Banadir region, Somalia. This study provides
information on the most affected districts and identifies risk factors contributing to DF outbreaks. The study
recommends improving outbreak readiness and response, particularly in surveillance and laboratory diagnostics,
by fostering intersectoral collaboration and establishing regulatory frameworks for financial and operational
participation.
Keywords Dengue fever, Risk factors, Banadir region, Somalia, Outbreak