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Epidemic and emerging disease alerts in the Pacific as of 16 April 2024

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Highlights/updates since the last map was sent on PacNet on 09 April 2024:

Dengue

  • French Polynesia: In EpiWeek 14, zero cases reported from 60 samples tested. In EpiWeek 15, one additional case was identified on 8th of April bringing the total number of cases to 42 (37 confirmed and 5 probable). Majority of the cases are from Tahiti. There were no new hospitalisations reported during this reporting period. There is co-circulation of DENV-1 and DENV-2 serotypes, with a predominance of the DENV-2 serotype.The blue alert is maintained. - Source: Bulletin de surveillance sanitaire de Polynésie française n°14 -2024 shared with PPHSN focal point on 13 April 2024.
  • Samoa: In EpiWeek 13, 33 new laboratory-confirmed dengue cases were recorded, bringing the total to 73 cases in March so far, with case counts continuing to increase. Serotype results are still pending. The most affected age groups are those between 5-9 years old and over 60 years old. The red alert is maintained. - Source: Samoa Ministry of Health Dengue Situation Report #6, EpiWeek 13: 25 – 31 March 2024 shared with PPHSN focal point on 15 April 2024.

Influenza A

  • French Polynesia: In EpiWeek 14, eight new cases of Influenza (seven influenza A and one influenza B) were confirmed out of 74 tests conducted. Two hospitalisations reported with none in the ICU. The positivity rate was slightly up compared to the previous week, with the seasonal epidemic of influenza apparently ongoing, alongside the circulation of other respiratory viruses including RSV. The blue alert is maintained. – Source: Bulletin de surveillance sanitaire de Polynésie française n°14 -2024 shared with PPHSN focal point on 05 April 2024.

Other information:

Dengue

  • Hawai’i: The Hawai‘i Department of Health confirms a travel-related dengue virus case in Hale‘iwa, O‘ahu, identifying conditions conducive to increased transmission. Vector control teams are actively addressing the high-density populations of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in the area, urging the public to take precautions such as using EPA-registered mosquito repellents, wearing protective clothing, and eliminating breeding sites to prevent further spread. - Source: News Releases from Department of Health | Department of Health encourages public to take added precautions in response to travel-related dengue case in Hale‘iwa, O‘ahu (hawaii.gov) accessed on 15 April 2024
  • New Zealand: In EpiWeek 15, six new imported cases of dengue fever were reported in New Zealand (4 confirmed and 2 probable). The three confirmed cases had been to Indonesia, 1 in Argentina during the incubation period. The probable cases had each been to French Polynesia and Papua New Guinea. Source: NZ Arbovirus Notifications by Country (15: 06/04/2024–12/04/2024) report shared with PPHSN focal point by ESR on 15 April 2024.

Measles

  • Australia – South Australia: On April 11, 2024, the South Australia (SA) Health Department issued a measles alert following the notification of two cases in a male teenager and a male in his 20s from metropolitan Adelaide, who had been identified as household contact of the measles case reported on 4 April 2024. There are no new public exposure sites as both cases had been isolating at home. Source: Measles case in Adelaide 11 April 2024 | SA Health accessed on 15 April 2024.

Meningococcal

  • Australia – South Australia: On April 09, 2024, the South Australia (SA) Health Department reported a meningococcal disease case, serotype B, in a 29-year-old female from metropolitan Adelaide. The breakdown of meningococcal cases in 2024 shows a year-to-date count of 9 cases with no deaths, predominantly serogroup B, compared to 21 cases and 1 death in 2023. Source: Meningococcal case 9 April 2024 | SA Health accessed on 15 April 2024.

Murray Valley Encephalitis

  • Australia – Western Australia: Murray Valley Encephalitis has been detected for the first time in 2024 in the Pilbara region, prompting residents and travellers to take precautions against mosquito bites. Mosquito sampling serves as an early warning system, with recent alerts of MVEV activity in the Kimberley region preceding this warning. Source: Mosquito-borne virus detected in Pilbara region (health.wa.gov.au) accessed on 15 April 2024.

Rotavirus

  • Australia – South Australia: On April 05, 2024, the Northern Territory Health department issued a health alert for Rotavirus. An increase in rotavirus notifications has been observed in the Northern Territory, with 40 cases reported this year and 21 since March 1, 2024, predominantly in Darwin and Alice Springs regions, though cases may spread to other areas. Over half of the cases (58%) were aged 10 or younger, and 41% of those were not up to date with rotavirus vaccinations. Source: Rotavirus | NT Health on 15 April 2024.

Pertussis

Outside of PICTs

Rabies

  • Timor-Leste: On March 22, 2024, Timor-Leste reported its first fatal human case of rabies to the World Health Organization, despite the country's previous classification as rabies-free. The case, originating from Pasabe Sub-Region, Oecusse, involved a person with a history of dog bite who died on March 22 after seeking medical attention on March 20. As of March 26, a total of 29 suspected rabies cases in humans with dog exposure have been reported in Oecusse Municipality this year, prompting ongoing public health responses including dog vaccination, risk communication, healthcare worker training, active surveillance, and ensuring the availability of rabies vaccines and immunoglobulin. The WHO assesses the national-level risk as high based on current information, while regional and global risks are considered low. Source: Rabies (who.int)accessed on 15 April 2024.

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