Attachments
Highlights/updates since the last map was sent on PacNet on 13 February 2024:
Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)
Due to the evolving nature of COVID-19 testing, vaccination and reporting strategies across the Pacific region, the data reported might not reflect the true situation in a number of countries.
- Wallis & Futuna: During the period from January 15 to February 19, 60 new COVID-19 cases were reported. The red alert is maintained. - Source: Information shared by country focal point on 19 February 2024.
Dengue
- French Polynesia: In weeks 6 to 7, three new dengue cases were identified out of 71 samples tested, for a cumulative total of 15 cases since the start of the alert in November 2023. Of the cases detected, one was a resident of Rangiroa in the Tuamotu archipelago. The red alert is being maintained. Source: Bulletin de surveillance sanitaire de Polynésie française n°05-2024 shared with PPHSN focal point on 17 February 2024. Two dengue cases were identified from travellers coming from Tahiti – see New Zealand Dengue below.
Diarrhoea
- FSM, Yap State: In week 6, 5 diarrhoeal cases were reported in Yap State. As the number of reported cases is below the established threshold of 6 cases per week, the blue alert is removed.Source: Yap Communicable Disease Surveillance Sit Rep - Yap Risk Communication & Community Engagement Team | Facebook accessed on 20 February 2024.
Influenza A & B
- French Polynesia: In week 6, eight new cases of Flu A were confirmed out of 88 samples tested. No Flu B cases were reported this week. Out of the confirmed cases, five were hospitalized, resulting in a hospitalization rate of 62.5%. The positivity rate has decreased for the past 3 weeks. Although the epidemic is still ongoing, it is currently in a decline. Additionally, RSV has been identified. The blue alert is maintained. – Source: Bulletin de surveillance sanitaire de Polynésie française n°05-2024 shared with PPHSN focal point on 17 February 2024.
Other information:
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI): In week 6, the number of COVID-19 cases increased from 30 in week 5 to 32 in week 6. Overall, the number of COVID-19 cases has increased by 134% this Epi Week compared to the previous three (3) Epi Weeks. The COVID-19 counts have increased over the past couple of Epi Weeks. The team is verifying positive laboratory results with the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation testing team. There is one (1) COVID-19 hospitalization for EW06. – Source: CNMI Weekly Surveillance Report 2024 – Epi Week 06 shared with PPHSN focal point on 15 February 2024.
Dengue
-
New Caledonia: On 16 February, the New Caledonia Directorate of Health and Social Affairs (DASS) reported that two cases of dengue fever have recently been detected. Investigations carried out by the DASS identified one indigenous case in Noumea (serotype 2) and one imported case from Bali in Paita (serotype 1). – Source: La dengue, le chikungunya et le Zika | Direction des Affaires Sanitaires et Sociales de Nouvelle-Calédonie (gouv.nc) accessed on 20 February 2024.
-
New Zealand: Week 7: There were two confirmed dengue fever cases reported in New Zealand during the last surveillance week (07: 10/02/2024–16/02/2024). Both cases had travelled back from Tahiti during the incubation period. Source: Information shared with PPHSN focal point by The Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) on 12 February 2024.
Measles
- Australia: From February 14 to 17, 2024, three Australian states issued measles alerts due to confirmed cases among travellers returning from overseas. In Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), an adult who recently returned from Southeast Asia tested positive, unrelated to a separate case reported earlier in northern NSW. South Australia (SA) reported a case in a one-year-old child who returned from overseas, while Victoria issued an alert for a measles case in a traveller who transited through Melbourne Airport on February 14 and 15, 2024. Source: NSW Health department, SA Health Department and Victoria Health Department websites accessed on 20 February 2024.
Pertussis (Whooping cough)
- Hawai’i: The Hawai‘i Department of Health has confirmed five unvaccinated cases of pertussis (whooping cough) within a single household, including a hospitalized child, who had travelled from the U.S. mainland and stayed in O‘ahu. The DOH is collaborating with the CDC and other states to notify exposed travellers, while their investigation revealed no close contacts after the family's arrival in Hawai‘i. Pertussis, a highly contagious vaccine-preventable respiratory infection caused by Bordetella pertussis, has been reported in 89 cases in Hawai‘i from 2019-2023. This recent occurrence has prompted a reminder to stay up to date with recommended vaccines, as the disease can lead to severe complications, especially in infants. – Source: News Releases from Department of Health | DOH confirms five cases of whooping cough (hawaii.gov) accessed on 20 February 2024.