Health officials have confirmed that two different dengue viruses are responsible for the outbreaks in Micronesia.

Marshall Islands has been hardest hit, but there's been a major outbreak in Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia.

Representatives of WHO and the Secretariat of Pacific Communities have visited Northern Pacific islands to assess the extent of dengue fever and decide on the next course of action.

Presenter:Geraldine Coutts
Speaker:Dr Yvan Souares, Disease Surveillance, Research, Control and Response Unit, Secretariat of Pacific Communities

Small island countries like those in the Pacific are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The likelihood of extreme weather events such as sea level rise, extreme rainfall, droughts, increased and intensified tropical cyclones, and increase in sea surface temperature is expected to adversely impact Pacific DMCs economically, socially and environmentally. Alongside having to address climate change issues are the increasing and recurring urbanization issues which are exacerbated by climate change.

In brief

Programme purpose

Red Cross National Societies are community-based organizations. Support to improving the functioning of local Red Cross institutions, programmes and the resulting services, which then have an impact on vulnerable people, is at the heart of the Pacific regional office’s mandate.

KEY developments