Informing humanitarians worldwide 24/7 — a service provided by UN OCHA

World + 12 more

Epidemic and emerging disease alerts in the Pacific as of 14 April 2026

Map
Source
Posted
Originally published

Highlights/updates since the last map was sent on PacNet on 07 April 2026:

Dengue

  • Cook Islands: As of 06 April 2026, the dengue outbreak in the Cook Islands shows further signs of decline, with no new cases reported between 02 and 06 April and only five active cases remaining on Rarotonga. No new cases have been reported from the Pa Enua during this period, indicating continued interruption of transmission outside Rarotonga. Outbreak response activities under Operation Namu26 remain ongoing. Additional community-based prevention activities are being strengthened through the Tutaka Programme, scheduled to run from 13 to 24 April 2026 across the Cook Islands. The blue alert for DENV-1 and DENV-2 remains in effect. – Source: Operation Namu26 Weekly Update 9 - Te Marae Ora Cook Islands Ministry of Health accessed on 14 April 2026.
  • Kiribati: Dengue transmission continues in Kiribati, with the outbreak ongoing since April 2025. As of 13 April 2026, a cumulative total of 514 laboratory‑confirmed cases and 1,564 suspected cases have been reported nationwide. During the most recent reporting period, two new confirmed cases and 27 new suspected cases were notified. Transmission remains concentrated in South Tarawa, which accounts for the majority of reported cases. Both DENV‑1 and DENV‑2 continue to circulate, with most cases described as mild, although one death and 68 hospitalisations have been reported to date. The blue alert for DENV-1 and DENV-2 remains in effect. – Source: Dengue Fever Situational Report 32 shared with PPHSN Coordinating Body Focal point on 10 April 2026.
  • New Caledonia: As of 09 April 2026, dengue transmission in New Caledonia remains ongoing, with 672 cumulative cases reported since 1 January 2026. These include 609 confirmed autochthonous cases, 59 probable autochthonous cases, three confirmed imported cases, and one clinically diagnosed case, corresponding to an overall incidence of 248 cases per 100,000 population. Weekly notifications have increased steadily since February, leading to the declaration of an epidemic phase, with transmission remaining heterogeneous across the territory. Transmission in Grand Nouméa (Nouméa, Dumbéa, Mont‑Dore and Païta) remains comparatively lower, consistent with the protective effect of Wolbachia mosquitoes supported by the World Mosquito Program. In contrast, transmission continues to progress more rapidly outside Grand Nouméa, affecting an increasing number of municipalities. DENV‑1 remains the predominant circulating serotype. To date, 21 hospitalisations have been reported, with no severe cases or admissions to intensive care, and the median age of cases is 29 years. The red alert for DENV-1 remains in effect. – Sources: Alerte DASS Dengue (09/04/2026) shared with PPHSN Coordinating Body Focal point on 13 April 2026 & La dengue | Direction des Affaires Sanitaires et Sociales de Nouvelle-Calédonie accessed on 14 April 2026.

Measles

Pertussis/Whooping cough

  • Federated States of Micronesia: As of EpiWeek 14 (30 March – 05 April 2026), no new pertussis cases were reported in Pohnpei State. The cumulative total remains at 38 cases since January 2026. This includes 14 laboratory‑confirmed and 24 suspected cases. Cases are predominantly reported among unvaccinated individuals, including adults and children, reflecting low vaccination coverage. No hospitalisations or deaths have been reported to date. Health authorities continue enhanced surveillance, awareness activities, and promotion of pertussis vaccination and boosters. The red alert for pertussis in Pohnpei is changed to a blue alert. – Sources: Pertussis Situation Report, Issue no. 8 shared with PPHSN Coordinating Body Focal point on 26 March 2026 and Communicable Disease Weekly Bulletin (report for EpiWeek: 14) shared with PPHSN Coordinating Body Focal point on 10 April 2026.
  • Guam: Pertussis activity continues in Guam, with the Department of Public Health and Social Services confirming two new laboratory‑confirmed cases in early April 2026. This brings the total number of confirmed pertussis cases in 2026 to nine. Epidemiological investigations have identified a link to a childcare setting, confirming the first pertussis outbreak in Guam. Public health authorities are implementing case investigation, contact tracing, and targeted response measures to prevent further transmission. Vaccination messaging continues to focus on infants, pregnant women, and close contacts, alongside ongoing monitoring of respiratory illness trends. A red alert for pertussis in Guam is added. – Sources: DPHSS Confirms Pertussis Outbreak in Guam and Epi Reports | Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) Guam – DPHSS accessed on 14 April 2026.
  • New Zealand: Pertussis activity in New Zealand continues as part of the ongoing national epidemic, with weekly notifications remaining stable. As of the week ending 03 April 2026, 22 cases were reported, compared with 21 cases in the previous week ending 27 March. This brings the cumulative total in 2026 to 536 cases. Although recent notifications are lower than earlier in the year, transmission persists nationwide. Since the start of the epidemic on 19 October 2024, 4,294 confirmed, probable and suspected cases have been notified, with 402 cases (9.6%) requiring hospitalisation and one death reported. Infants under one year of age remain the most affected, prompting continued emphasis on vaccination, surveillance and protection of high-risk groups. The blue alert for pertussis remains in effect. – Sources: Pertussis Report 7 March–3 April 2026 and Pertussis dashboard accessed on 14 April 2026.
  • Vanuatu: Pertussis activity continues in Vanuatu, although transmission shows a declining trend in 2026 compared with the peak in late 2025. During EpiWeek 13, two new cases were reported, both from Efate, bringing the cumulative total to 813 cases since the outbreak was declared in August 2025. These include 782 clinically diagnosed and 31 laboratory‑confirmed cases. The cumulative number of deaths remains seven, including six in Tanna and one in Shefa, with no current hospitalisations reported. Cases continue to affect all age groups, with the highest burden among children aged 1–9 years and a substantial proportion among infants under one year of age, while 47% of cases with known vaccination status remain unvaccinated. Transmission remains concentrated in Efate (~54%) and Tanna (~38%), and enhanced surveillance continues as the outbreak remains ongoing. The blue alert for pertussis remains in effect. – Sources: Source: Vanuatu Pertussis Outbreak: Situation Report 17 (06 April 2026) shared on PacNet on 10 April 2026.

Other Information:

Dengue

  • Hawai’i: As of 09 April 2026, the Hawaiʻi Department of Health reported a new travel‑related dengue case on Kauaʻi, bringing the total number of imported dengue cases in the state to five in 2026. The case was acquired overseas in an area with active dengue transmission, and no links to previous cases have been identified. No local transmission has been detected, and the overall risk of transmission is considered low. However, recent and forecast heavy rainfall may increase mosquito breeding, prompting authorities to reinforce source reduction messaging. In response, vector control teams have conducted inspections, mosquito control measures, and community outreach. – Source: DOH REPORTS ANOTHER TRAVEL-RELATED DENGUE VIRUS CASE ON KAUAʻI | News Releases from Department of Health accessed on 14 April 2026.
  • New Zealand: In New Zealand, during EpiWeeks 13 and 14 (28 March–10 April 2026), imported dengue cases were reported. In EpiWeek 13, 16 cases were notified, including 14 confirmed cases, one probable case, and one case under investigation, with most confirmed cases reporting recent travel to the Cook Islands (46%), Samoa (38%), Tonga (8%) or Kiribati (8%). In EpiWeek 14, 12 confirmed cases were reported, with recent travel mainly to Samoa (50%), Tonga (33%) and the Cook Islands (17%). As in previous weeks, cases were associated with international travel, and no local transmission has been identified. Given the known serological cross reactivity between dengue and other flaviviruses, some reported dengue cases may ultimately be reclassified as other flavivirus infections as epidemiological and laboratory investigations continue. – Sources: NZ Arbovirus Notifications by Country (13: 28/03/2026–03/04/2026) shared with PPHSN Coordinating Body Focal point on 08 April 2026 and NZ Arbovirus Notifications by Country (14: 04/04/2026–10/04/2026) shared with PPHSN Coordinating Body Focal point on 13 April 2026.
  • Tonga: As of 08 April 2026, the Ministry of Health in Tonga confirmed three dengue fever cases in Tongatapu. All cases were locally acquired, with no epidemiological links identified, and all patients are currently stable, including one discharged and two managed under home care. In the context of the ongoing wet season, the risk of further transmission remains high due to favourable mosquito breeding conditions. Public health authorities have strengthened case investigation, vector control, active surveillance, and community engagement, and the public is encouraged to eliminate standing water and seek early care if symptoms develop. – Source: Ministry of Health Tonga - official Facebook page accessed on 14 April 2026.

Leptospirosis

  • French Polynesia: In French Polynesia, leptospirosis activity remains elevated during the current rainy season. Surveillance data indicate a seasonal increase in cases, consistent with patterns observed following periods of heavy rainfall and flooding. Transmission continues to affect multiple archipelagos, with cases reported mainly from the Windward and Leeward Islands. Cases predominantly involve adult males, most frequently linked to exposure to wet or flooded environments and skin lesions. Health authorities maintain strengthened vigilance and emphasise early clinical recognition and prompt antibiotic treatment to prevent severe disease outcomes. – Sources: Bulletin de surveillance sanitaire de Polynésie française n°13/2026 accessed on 14 April 2026.
  • New Caledonia: As of 09 April 2026, 83 leptospirosis cases have been reported in New Caledonia since 1 January 2026, corresponding to an average of six cases per week. This represents an increase compared with the same period in 2025 and coincides with high rainfall observed in February. Hospitalisation was required for 69 cases (83%), including 46 patients (67%) admitted to intensive care unit. Two deaths have been reported, involving adults aged 30 and 44 years. Cases predominantly affect males, with a sex ratio of 2.9, and the median age is 33 years. Transmission is geographically concentrated, with 69% of cases reported from the Northern Province, where incidence rates are highest. Source: Alerte DASS Leptospirose (09/04/2026) shared with PPHSN Coordinating Body Focal point on 13 April 2026.

Tuberculosis

  • Palau: Tuberculosis (TB) activity has increased in Palau in early 2026, with health authorities reporting a higher‑than‑expected number of cases in the community. In March 2026, seven TB cases were identified, including two epidemiologically linked clusters, compared with 13 cases reported during the whole of 2025. This concentration of cases over a short period prompted the Palau EpiNet team to convene and enhance the public health response, although the increase has not been attributed to expanded screening or other known factors. Response measures include expanded TB screening, strengthened infection prevention and control in care settings, ensuring adequate laboratory capacity, improved data management, and reinforced risk communication. Health authorities continue to emphasise early testing and treatment, as TB is treatable and curable when detected early. – Source: Exchange with country focal person on 14 April 2026 and Increase in Tuberculosis (TB) Cases - Ministry of Health & Human Services - Republic of Palau - Official Facebook page accessed on 14 April 2026.

Related Content