Epidemic and emerging disease alerts in the Pacific as of 11 February 2025

Highlights/updates since the last map was sent on PacNet on 04 February 2025:

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

• Niue: As of 07 February 2025, Niue’s Department of Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak, with 99 active cases including 45 new cases from the 03-07 February and four hospitalisations since the outbreak began on January 11, 2025. The Department of Health (DOH) expects more unreported or untested positive cases in the community and attributes the rise to public gatherings and incoming travellers, urging residents to take precautions. While no restrictions are currently mandated, health officials recommend self-isolation for positive cases, along with mask-wearing, handwashing and proper coughing etiquette to limit the spread. The red alert for COVID-19 is maintained. – Source: Health Department declares Covid-19 outbreak – Television Niue accessed on 11 February 2025.

Dengue

• French Polynesia: In EpiWeek 05, 79 new dengue cases were reported, including residents of Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Raiatea, Huahine, Rangiroa, Ua-Pou, Tubuai and one visitor. The total number of reported cases is 936 (872 confirmed cases and 64 probable cases) since November 27, 2023. Both incidence and positivity rate have increased compared to the previous week requiring continued vigilance during the rainy season. In EpiWeek 05, one hospitalisation was recorded. Since the beginning of the epidemic, no severe cases or deaths have been reported. Since July 2024, DENV-1 has become the predominant serotype in the country, representing 100% of serotyped samples since in EpiWeek 51, 2024. The blue alert for DENV-1 is maintained. – Source: Bulletin de surveillance sanitaire de Polynésie française n°5 - 2025 shared with PPHSN Coordinating Body focal point on 11 February 2025.

Influenza-like illness and Influenza

• French Polynesia: In EpiWeek 05, 43 new influenza cases (40 type A and 3 type B) were reported out of 196 test results submitted. The positivity rate has decreased (22% compared to 35% the previous week). The relative decrease falls within the fluctuations that can be observed during an epidemic peak; however, the outbreak is ongoing. Among these 43 cases, 13 hospitalisations have been reported, including two admissions in intensive unit. No deaths have been reported since the beginning of the epidemic. In Week 05, 12 samples were analysed, confirming the presence of influenza A(H1N1) and A(H3N2) viruses. The red alert for influenza A is maintained. – Source: Bulletin de surveillance sanitaire de Polynésie française n°5 - 2025 shared with PPHSN Coordinating Body focal point on 11 February 2025.
• New Caledonia: Since December 2024, New Caledonia has been experiencing an unusual influenza outbreak, occurring earlier and more persistently than the typical flu season (July–September). Between 04 November 2024 and 31 January 2025, 188 confirmed cases have been reported, predominantly influenza A (88 A/H1N1, 57 A/H3N2, and 40 non-subtyped A), along with a few cases of influenza B (one B/Victoria and two non-subtyped B). The current dominance of influenza A could shift with the introduction of influenza B, particularly B/Victoria, following the detection of the first local case and potential risks from post-holiday travel and school reopening. The red alert for influenza is updated to a red alert for Influenza A.– Source: Alerte DASS – Infections Respiratoires Aïgues shared with PPHSN Coordinating Body focal point on 05 February 2025.
• Vanuatu: In EpiWeek 04 (20 – 26 Jan 2025), the National Surveillance unit recorded 513 cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) on Efate Island, with nine additional cases reported since the 19 January 2025, surpassing the alert threshold of 268 cases per week. The total of ILI cases recorded since EpiWeek 52 (2024) has reached 2,065. Vila Central Hospital (VCH) reported four hospitalisations. No deaths were reported since the 30 December 2024. As of 19 January, the causative agent remains unconfirmed, with 62% of the reported cases occurring in individuals over five years old. The grey alert for influenza-like illness is maintained, awaiting identification of the causative agent.– Source: Efate Island Seasonal Influenza Outbreak – Situation Report #4 (report date: 06/02/2025; covering period from 30 December 2024 – 26 January 2025) shared on PacNet on 07 February 2025.

Pertussis / Whooping cough

• French Polynesia: Between 14 June 2024 and 02 February 2025, 635 confirmed pertussis cases were reported. In EpiWeek 05, 11 new cases were recorded, including residents of Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Makemo and Tubuai. A downward trend is observed, with both the incidence and positivity rate decreasing (10% vs. 14% the previous week). No new hospitalisations were reported in EpiWeek 05, and one death was reported in EpiWeek 46 of 2024 in an infant. Over the past four weeks, the most affected age groups have been children under 10 years old (29% on average) and individuals aged 30–39 years (22%). The blue alert is maintained. – Source: Bulletin de surveillance sanitaire de Polynésie française n°5 - 2025 shared with PPHSN Coordinating Body focal point on 11 February 2025.
• New Caledonia: As of 10 February 2025, 204 cases of pertussis have been reported since April 2024, out of 1,331 samples tested, two new cases since 04 February 2025. In 2025, 33 new cases have been reported with 31 cases recorded in January. The most recent case was reported on 04 January 2025*.* The blue alert is maintained. – Source: Coqueluche | Direction des Affaires Sanitaires et Sociales de Nouvelle-Calédonie accessed on 11 February 2025.
• New Zealand: In EpiWeek 05 (ending January 31, 2025), weekly pertussis cases in New Zealand increased to 123 from 106 in EpiWeek 04, bringing the total reported cases in January 2025 to 464. The blue alert is maintained. – Source: Pertussis dashboard accessed on 11 February 2025.

Other Information:

Measles

• Vietnam: As of 06 February 2025, Viet Nam News reported that WHO assessed Vietnam's measles outbreak risk as very high and recommended large-scale vaccination campaigns in high-risk areas, along with catch-up vaccinations for children who missed doses due to COVID-19. In 2024, Vietnam recorded over 45,550 suspected cases, including 7,583 confirmed infections and 16 deaths, with a significant number of cases occurring in unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children, particularly infants under nine months. Source: WHO warns of measles surge in Việt Nam accessed on 11 February 2025.