Attachments
Highlights/updates since the last map was sent on PacNet on 25 June 2024:
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- Hawai'i: From 18 to 24 June, 1,359 additional COVID-19 cases have been reported. The data indicates an increase from 16.7% to 17.9% average test positivity rate and 186 average daily COVID-19 cases statewide over the 7-day period. There are daily averages of 119 hospitalisations, six patients in ICU beds and six reported deaths. The Department of Health Respiratory Disease Dashboard shows that COVID-19 activity is at an elevated level, indicating that the virus is circulating at high levels compared with historic trends. The red alert for COVID-19 is maintained. – Source: Disease Outbreak Control Division | COVID-19 | State of Hawai'i - Department of Health (hawaii.gov) accessed on 2nd July 2024.
Dengue
- French Polynesia: In EpiWeek 25, five new dengue cases were confirmed out of 29 samples tested. As of June 27, five additional cases were reported in EpiWeek 26, bringing the total number of reported cases to 67 (60 confirmed cases and 7 probable cases) since November 27, 2023. No deaths or hospitalisations were reported during this period. Notably, since November 2023, no dengue cases were reported in Nuku-Hiva until three locally acquired cases recently emerged, prompting preventive measures. Two cases from EpiWeek 25 were hospitalised but have recovered, with DENV-1 identified as the serotype. The latest DENV-1 case dates from EpiWeek 13. Since November 2023, DENV-2 has been the predominant serotype in 93% of the 43 samples tested. The blue alert is maintained. – Source: Bulletin de surveillance sanitaire de Polynésie française n°25 -2024 shared with PPHSN focal point on 29 June 2024.
- Fiji: On April 29, 2024, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services declared dengue fever outbreaks in Ovalau and the Western Division due to higher-than-expected case numbers. Ovalau reported 72 cases since January 1st, with a recent surge mainly affecting the 1019year age group. The Western Division reported 370 cases this year, with recent increases in Nadi, Ba, and Tavua. The latest update received was dated 9 weeks ago; given the absence of current information, the red alert is removed. However, please be aware that the removal of the alert should not be interpreted as the absence of dengue virus circulation in these provinces. – Source: Dengue Fever Outbreak in Ovalau and the Western Division – MHMS (health.gov.fj) accessed on 2nd July 2024.
- Samoa: In EpiWeek 24, 5 new lab-confirmed dengue cases were reported, bringing the total to 446 since November 2023. No hospitalisation or death were reported during this period. The most affected age group is 20 to 29 years. The North-West of Upolu (NWU) and Apia Urban Area (AUA) are the most affected areas. Serotype results are still pending. The blue alert is maintained. – Source: Samoa Ministry of Health Dengue Fever Outbreak Situation Report #17, EpiWeek 24 from Dengue Fever Outbreak Situation Report in SamoaEpi-week 24: 17—23 June 2024 Issue No.17 - Government of Samoa (samoagovt.ws) accessed on 2nd July 2024.
Influenza A
- Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Island (CNMI): In EpiWeek 25, CNMI reported a decrease in ILI cases from 33 in EpiWeek 24 to 28 in EpiWeek 25, marking a 21% decrease compared to the previous three weeks. Testing confirmed two Influenza A cases out of 94 tests conducted. It has been three weeks of constant decrease in the number of reported ILI cases. As a result, the blue alert is removed. – Source: CNMI Weekly Surveillance Report 2024 – EPI Week 25 shared to PPHSN focal point on 28 June 2024.
- French Polynesia: In EpiWeek 25, there were eight new confirmed cases (8 cases of Influenza A and 0 case of Influenza B) out of 83 tests conducted. Among the reported cases, none were hospitalised or admitted to the ICU. No additional deaths were recorded in EpiWeek 25. Since April 1st, there have been 366 confirmed influenza cases, with 169 requiring hospitalisation and 10 reported deaths. The blue alert is maintained. – Source: Bulletin de surveillance sanitaire de Polynésie française n°25 -2024 shared with PPHSN focal point on 29 June 2024.
Leptospirosis
- Fiji: On April 29, 2024, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services declared leptospirosis outbreaks in Kadavu and the Western Division due to significantly elevated case numbers. In Kadavu, 31 laboratory-confirmed cases have been reported this year, mostly affecting the 10-19 years age group. The Western Division has seen 212 cases, with a surge in Lautoka and Ba.The latest update received was dated 9 weeks ago; given the absence of current information, the red alert is removed. However, please be aware that the removal of the alert cannot be interpreted as the absence of leptospirosis circulation in these provinces**.** – Source: Leptospirosis Outbreak in Kadavu and the Western Division – MHMS (health.gov.fj) accessed on 2nd July 2024.
Other Information:
Avian Influenza
- Australia: On 22 May 2024, the first detection of H7N3 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strain was confirmed at a poultry farm near Meredith, Victoria, with subsequent infections at six other farms in the region, the most recent on 24 June. Separately, an H7N9 HPAI strain was identified in May on a poultry farm near Terang, Victoria. In New South Wales, the first outbreak of H7N8 was confirmed on 19 June at an egg farm in the Hawkesbury district, followed by a broiler farm on 22 June. On 27 June, the H7N8 HPAI strain was confirmed at a poultry farm in the ACT, prompting quarantine measures and movement restrictions in affected areas across Victoria, NSW, and the ACT. – Source: Avian influenza | Outbreak accessed on 2nd July 2024.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- Niue: As of June 25, 2024, three new confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported by the Health Division, bringing the total to five on the island. By Monday, June 24, three cases had recovered, leaving two active cases. The Health Division urges anyone with flu-like symptoms to test for COVID-19 and report positive results, with test kits available at the hospital. – Sources: 5 Confirmed Positive Covid-19 cases – Television Niue (tvniue.com) and 2 Remaining COVID Positive Cases – Television Niue (tvniue.com), accessed on 2nd July 2024.
Dengue
- Australia, Queensland and Western Australia: As of June 24, 2024, six new dengue cases were reported on Mer Island in the Torres Strait Island Regional local government area, Queensland. This brings the total number of cases for the outbreak to 46. On June 3rd, five of these cases were identified as dengue type 3, while the serotypes for the remaining cases have not been determined. In Western Australia, dengue cases have tripled compared to last year, with 80% linked to travel to Indonesia, prompting health officials to stress the severity of the disease and the importance of mosquito bite prevention. – Source: Notifiable conditions reports: Summary information | Queensland Health and Dengue fever warning for WA travellers heading to Bali (health.wa.gov.au) accessed on 2nd July 2024.
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
- Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Island (CNMI): In Epi Week 23, The CNMI community has seen a rise in Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) cases. Between Epi Week 23 - 26, there have been 53 confirmed cases with an additional 25 potential cases, suggesting around 80 cases in total. CHCC's Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) team is collaborating with Environmental Health Disease Prevention (EHDP) team to survey daycares, verifying case counts, providing preventative information and educating on sanitising practices. – Source: CNMI Weekly Surveillance Report 2024 – EPI Week 24 shared to PPHSN focal point on 21 June 2024 and exchange with country focal point on 2nd July 2024.
Influenza and Other Respiratory Illnesses
- Australia: In EpiWeek 26, influenza notifications have increased steadily nationally since late April. Influenza activity is reported as high in New South Wales, with high levels of emergency department presentations and an increased test positivity rate of 18.9% for the week ending June 22, 2024. In Victoria, flu cases are increasing, particularly among children aged 6 months to 14 years, with vulnerable groups at higher risk for severe illness. Similar trends are also reported in Queensland with 104 people hospitalised with influenza, and 2,302 new cases diagnosed in the EpiWeek 26. Every state is recommending getting the annual Flu vaccine, with information on Influenza virus strains included in the 2024 Southern Hemisphere seasonal influenza vaccines listed in the Source section. Other respiratory illnesses are all being reported and under monitoring such as Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Pneumonia and Pertussis. – Source: Australian Respiratory Surveillance Report 6 – 3 June to 16 June 2024 (health.gov.au) and ATAGI – STATEMENT ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF SEASONAL INFLUENZA VACCINES IN 2024 (health.gov.au) accessed on 25 June 2024.
Murray Valley Encephalitis
- Australia, Western Australia: As of June 26, 2024, the Department of Health has issued a health alert for northern Western Australia due to an elevated risk of mosquito-borne diseases, especially in the Pilbara, Kimberley, Gascoyne, and Midwest regions. In 2024, four cases of Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) have been reported, including two fatal cases from the Pilbara region, with officials emphasising the importance of protecting against mosquito bites. – Source: Mosquito warning to travellers and community members in northern WA (health.wa.gov.au) accessed on 2nd July 2024.