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Pacific: Dengue Outbreak - Oct 2016

Disaster description

Since August 2016 in the Solomon Islands, an unusual increase in dengue-like illness, including a number of NS1 positive cases, has been observed through the National Syndromic Surveillance System of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MoHMS). The Government of Solomon Islands declared an outbreak of dengue for Honiara, the capital of Solomon Islands, and other parts of Guadalcanal province on 8 October 2016 and expanded to other provinces on 19 October. (IFRC, 2 Nov 2016)

A total of 3,920 cases of suspected dengue have been reported in Honiara, Guadalcanal, Malaita, Isabel, Choiseul, Makira, Temotu, Western, Central between 15 August to 20 November, 2016. (Gov't of Solomon Islands, 28 Nov 2016)

As of 11 December, there have been 6,294 cases of dengue since 15 August, according to the Ministry of Health. (WHO, 22 Dec 2016)

As of 16 April 2017, there have been 12,250 cases since 15 August 2016. The weekly number of cases is decreasing. In the week ending 16 April, there were 10 hospitalised cases and no deaths reported. This is a reduction in the weekly number of hospitalised cases. Since the beginning of the outbreak, there have been 851 hospitalisations (62% of these have been among those < 24 years) and 15 deaths. Source: Solomon Is Ministry of Health and Medical Services dengue SitRep No. 29. (WHO, 2 May 2017)

The Ministry of Health Emergency Operation Committee (MHEOC) of the Solomon Islands stood down its operation in mid-April 2017. This decision was based on the epidemiological trend, which showed a consistent decrease in the number of cases from February 2017. In addition, the current case load of dengue admissions to the National Referral Hospital (NRH) is manageable under routine operational capacity. (IFRC, 31 May 2017)

In Vanuatu, as of 5 January 2017, there have been 4,011 suspected cases since 11 November 2016. Dengue serotype-2 was confirmed in two samples by the Institute of Environmental Science and Research Limited (ESR), New Zealand. (WHO, 5 Jan 2017).

Vanuatu has also experienced an increasing number of dengue cases, with more than 1,700 reported. The majority of suspected cases are in Port Vila. However, cases have also been reported in Luganville, Lenakel and Norsup. (OCHA, 27 Feb 2017)

As of 4 May 2017, the dengue serotype-2 outbreak appears to be slowing down, with 2,838 cases including 147 (5%) hospitalisations (since Nov 2016). The weekly number of cases is decreasing. Source: Vanuatu MoH (WHO, 7 May 2017)

A total of 21 confirmed dengue cases were reported in French Polynesia between December 19, 2016 and January 1, 2017 (11 cases in week 51 and 10 cases in week 52). Four (18%) of the 21 cases were confirmed as DENV-1 infection.

As of 30 January, there were 74 laboratory-confirmed dengue cases reported in Australia in 2017. The number of cases reported is less than that reported during the same time period in the previous years (2012-2015). (WHO, 31 Jan 2017)

In New Caledonia as of 21 February 2017, there have been 1,238 cases since 1 September 2016. There have been 3 deaths reported. Dengue virus serotypes 1, 2 and 3 are in circulation. Source: Department of Health & Social Affairs, New Caledonia (WHO, 5 Mar 2017).

As of 6 April 2017 there have been 2,404 cases since 1 September 2016. There have been 3 deaths reported. Dengue virus serotypes 1, 2 and 3 are in circulation. Source: Department of Health & Social Affairs, New Caledonia (WHO, 6 Apr 2017)

As of 3 May 2017, there have been 3,429 cases since 1 September 2016. Dengue serotype 1, 2 and 3 are in circulation. Source: Direction des affaires sanitaires et sociales de Nouvelle-Calédonie. (WHO, 7 May 2017)

As of 10 July 2017, there have been 4,353 cases since September 2016. Dengue serotype-1, 2 have been identified in circulation. There is a downward trend in the number of reported cases. (WHO, 18 Jul 2017)

American Samoa has declared a public health emergency following the confirmation of dengue serotype-2 by the Hawaii State laboratory. As of March 9 2017 there have been 179 suspected cases of which 8 were laboratory confirmed cases since 2 November 2017. Source: American Samoa Department of Health. (WHO, 16 Mar 2017)

There is an increase in the number of dengue cases reported in Fiji, dengue serotype-2 has been identified in circulation. Peri-focal spraying is ongoing in areas where dengue cases have been reported. A nation-wide “Fight the bite campaign” will be launched on 18 March 2017. The clean-up campaign will be for four weeks. Source: Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services. (WHO, 16 Mar 2017)

In Palau, a steep rise in dengue cases was recognized starting in November 2016. There were 329 cases of dengue fever identified between October 10, 2016 and June 25, 2017; 106 of these cases occurred in June 2017. These were identified primarily through lab surveillance. (Govt. Palau, 26 Jun 2017)

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