Dengue incident management system in 2023, Burkina Faso: revisiting experience from the Hauts-Bassins region

Abstract

Background Dengue fever emerged as a major public health emergency in 2023 in the Hauts-Bassins region of Burkina Faso. In response, an Incident Management System was implemented to enhance coordination and operational efficiency. Objective This study aimed to retrospectively assess the organization and performance of the Incident Management System during the dengue outbreak response in 2023. Methods We conducted a retrospective descriptive analysis between March and June 2025, using secondary data sources including incident action plans, situation reports, administrative documents, and after-action reviews. A structured literature search was performed in Google Scholar and PubMed using predefined keywords. Relevant operational and scientific documents were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results The Incident Management System structure enabled coordinated multisectoral response through its core components (operations, planning, logistics, and finance/administration). A total of 14,563 probable cases and 239 deaths were reported, with a case fatality rate of 1.64%. The Incident Management System facilitated integration, collaboration, and rapid response, contributing to a decline in cases from epidemiological week 47. Conclusion The Incident Management System provided an effective framework for coordinating the dengue outbreak response and should be considered a valuable complement to traditional health system approaches in epidemic management.