Northlander Josh Nicholson felt under the weather for two weeks after contracting dengue fever in Rarotonga.
Northlander Josh Nicholson felt under the weather for two weeks after contracting dengue fever in Rarotonga.
Northlander Josh Nicholson is urging fellow travellers to be aware of dengue fever after he contracted the sometimes-deadly disease during an outbreak in the Cook Islands.
Health NZ is encouraging people headed abroad to protect themselves from mosquito bites as they can spread the disease.
“Significant dengue outbreaks” havebeen reported across the Pacific and there has been an increased number of travellers returning to New Zealand with the disease.
Nicholson contracted dengue during a two-week holiday in Rarotonga with his partner in December.
Symptoms started several days before he was due to return to New Zealand and included lethargy, cold sweats, and a high fever, which lasted a couple of weeks.
“It takes it out of you; I was feeling very sorry for myself.”
Dengue is a viral infection that spreads from mosquitoes to people. It is more common in tropical and subtropical climates.
Health NZ says it can be life threatening. People who have previously been infected are at an increased risk of developing severe dengue if they contract the virus again.
Symptoms can also include intense headaches, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, and a fine rash.
Several Pacific countries are currently reporting increased dengue activity, according to Safe Travel, the Government website that provides travel advisories and safety information for New Zealanders overseas.
Health NZ is urging Kiwi travellers to protect themselves from being bitten by mosquitoes that spread dengue fever, especially in the Cook Islands.
The Cook Islands has been particularly affected, with more than 500 cases reported since the outbreak began on May 22, 2025.
Other Pacific countries experiencing an increase in dengue cases include Samoa, Tuvalu, Nauru, Kiribati and American Samoa.
Dr Matt Reid, a public health medicine specialist for the National Public Health Service, said the outbreaks had driven an increased number of cases in New Zealand, with 86 people contracting the disease.
Of the 86 cases, 75 were associated with travel to the Cook Islands, including three from Northland.
The 11 other cases had travelled to other areas where there are dengue outbreaks or dengue is endemic, including Indonesia and the Philippines.
“These cases have been continuing to grow week on week,” Dr Reid said.
He urged people to get medical advice quickly if they had symptoms.
“It’s important that people travelling to these areas where dengue is widespread ... take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and follow local public health advice.
“People over 60 years old and children aged 10 and under are also at greater risk of severe illness from dengue.”
Dr Reid said New Zealand did not have mosquitoes able to transmit dengue. While people can’t catch it from another person, they can get it from infected mosquitoes in an area or region that has dengue.
Many people will only have mild symptoms, but a small number may get severe dengue and need hospital care.
Nicholson said he knew about dengue but didn’t know about the outbreak in Rarotonga until he contracted it.
Although the resort had insect screens and he used a bit of repellent, he didn’t use a lot because he doesn’t usually get bitten.
Nicholson said he would “definitely” go back to Rarotonga but “I’d just mozzie repellent up and be aware of it.”
If you feel sick in the first three weeks after returning home from a country that has dengue, seek advice from your healthcare provider or call Healthline for free on 0800 611 116. Tell them about your symptoms and recent travel.
How to protect yourself from dengue
Sleep in well-screened locations or under mosquito nets
Keep screens on doors and windows closed when indoors
Wear light-coloured protective clothing, including hats, long sleeves and trousers when outdoors
Wear repellent cream or spray containing diethyltoluamide (deet) when outdoors
Avoid places where mosquitoes are most active, such as swampy areas or places with standing water.
Jenny Ling is a senior journalist at the Northern Advocate. She has a special interest in covering human interest stories, along with finance, roading, and social issues.
