Several Pacific countries, including the Cook Islands and Samoa, have been dealing with dengue fever outbreaks since last year. Photo / Ministry of Health Samoa
Several Pacific countries, including the Cook Islands and Samoa, have been dealing with dengue fever outbreaks since last year. Photo / Ministry of Health Samoa
A high number of Kiwis returning with the potentially deadly dengue fever virus – after holidays in the Pacific – are being urged to seek immediate medical attention if they become sick weeks after arriving home.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s SafeTravel website has updated its advice forpeople planning trips to the Pacific region – where several countries are dealing with outbreaks of dengue since last year.
Holidaymakers are also urged to consider comprehensive travel insurance in case there is a need to be medically evacuated by air, given that many Pacific countries dealing with dengue outbreaks are under significant strain.
Eighth child dies of dengue in Samoa
The advice comes as Samoan media are reporting the death of a 7-month-old baby girl today. She was admitted with dengue fever yesterday, the Samoa Observer said.
The infant is the first dengue-related death reported in the island nation this year and the eighth child to die from the virus since a dengue outbreak was declared in Samoa last April.
The outbreak was declared after the first dengue-related death was reported – that of 12-year-old Misiafa Lene, who was medically evacuated to New Zealand, but died at Starship children’s hospital.
His parents, Taito Louis and Taunese Lene, shared their heartbreaking story with the Herald at the time.
“We don’t want to see another family lose a child like we have this way,” they said.
“The pain is beyond anything. We don’t want another family to go through what we are going through.”
SafeTravel’s latest advice is that anyone who becomes unwell during their trip or in the first three weeks after returning should seek immediate medical help and tell their doctor about their travel.
Samoan authorities are carrying out fumigation around the island nation to get rid of mosquitoes, in a bid to reduce the spread of dengue fever. Photo / Samoa Ministry of Health
“Drink plenty of fluids [and] use paracetamol for fever and pain. Avoid aspirin and ibuprofen, as they can increase the risk of bleeding from dengue infections.”
Dengue fever, or break-bone fever, is a viral infection that spreads from mosquitoes to people. Symptoms include sudden high fever, intensely sore joints and muscles, pain behind the eyes and a rash.
In more severe cases, death can occur as a result.
Dozens returning to NZ with dengue fever
A total of 86 people have reported catching dengue fever after overseas trips to the Pacific, as well as in Indonesia and the Philippines.
A spokesman for Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora said of those cases, 75 people had travelled to the Cook Islands. Nine people had contracted dengue after a trip to Samoa and two had been on trips to Indonesia and the Philippines, respectively.
Dr Matt Reid, of the National Public Health Service, said the cases have continued to grow week on week and acknowledged the higher risk of children and members of the elderly contracting dengue fever.
Fumigation efforts during Samoa's dengue outbreak last year. Photo / Samoa Government
“This is why it’s important that people travelling to these areas, where dengue is widespread, take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and follow public health advice.
“People over 60 years old and children aged 10 and under are also at greater risk of severe illness from dengue.”
The most affected countries are Samoa, American Samoa, the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu.
The Cook Islands, in particular, is currently dealing with active transmission within the community and case numbers continue to rise. There have been more than 500 cases of dengue fever reported since an outbreak was declared there in May last year.
In Samoa, seven children died after contracting dengue last year.
Dengue fever = is on the rise in the Pacific Islands 🦟 If you're visiting/have visited a Pacific Island nation recently keep an eye out for dengue symtoms. Find out more at info.health.nz and search 'dengue'.
Samoa’s dengue outbreak led to the weeks-long closure of all schools in the small island nation last year, as fumigation efforts were carried out in a bid to get rid of mosquitoes.
Health ministries overseas, including the Cook Islands and Samoan health authorities, have ramped up social media campaigns via Facebook and TikTok urging people to take extra precautions.
Health NZ has also called upon former Manu Samoa captain and Samoan rugby legend Lemalu Semo Sititi – father of All Black Wallace Sititi – to help spread the message to the Pacific community and those heading for Pacific holidays.
“Protect yourself and your aiga [family],” he said.
Vaimoana Mase is the Pasifika editor for the Herald’sTalanoa section, sharing stories from the Pacific community. She won junior reporter of the year at the then Qantas Media Awards in 2010 and won the best opinion writing award at the 2023 Voyager Media Awards.
