Attachments
Highlights/updates since the last map was sent on PacNet on 13 May 2025:
Dengue
- Kiribati: The Ministry of Health confirmed a dengue outbreak on 24 April 2025, after a significant rise in confirmed cases. As of 12 May 2025, the Health Ministry reported a total of 51 dengue confirmed cases and 93 suspected dengue cases with twelve cases admitted, of which ten has been discharged. Dengue cases range in age from 8 months to 67 years, with the most affected group being those aged 20 to 39 years. Among all reported cases, 56% are female and 44% male. The serotypes that are responsible for this current outbreak are Dengue Virus Type 1 (DENV-1) and Dengue Virus Type 2 (DENV-2), tested at VIDRL in Melbourne. The Ministry of Health is actively promoting health awareness on social media through posters, press releases, and videos. It continues to investigate cases, conduct house-to-house inspections in high-risk areas, eliminate mosquito breeding sites, and advise community members to maintain a clean and healthy environment. A red alert for DENV-1 and DENV-2 is added. – Source: Dengue Fever Situational Report #3 (12 May 2025) shared with focal point on 15 May 2025.
- Samoa: As of 12 May 2025, the Ministry of Health reported 22 lab-confirmed dengue cases in EpiWeek 19 (05-11 May 2025) bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 81 and one reported death since the declaration of the outbreak on 17 April 2025.The majority of cases (74%) are from Upolu Island, with a gender distribution of 51% male and 49% female. Most cases are concentrated in the Apia Urban Area and the North West Upolu regions, with individuals under 20 years old being the most affected. 26% of cases require hospitalisation, of these admissions, 94% have been discharged. Of the 20 cases that have confirmed serotypes, 85% are DENV-1 and 15% are DENV-2. The Ministry of Health continues collaboration across sectors through a whole-of-government approach via the Integrated Vector Control Committee. Current response efforts are focused on source reduction and environmental sanitation measures, ongoing risk communication on dengue preventative measures on all media outlets while urging the public to wear long-sleeved clothing to minimize risk of infection, use mosquito nets and repellents, remain vigilant for severe symptoms and to seek medical attention immediately when necessary. The red alert for DENV-1 and DENV-2 is maintained. – Source: Dengue Fever Situational Report #4 (12 May 2025) shared with focal point on 16 May 2025.
- Tonga: As of 19 May 2025, the Ministry of Health reported fifteen new dengue cases, bringing the total confirmed cases to 756 since the declaration of the Outbreak on 19 February 2025, primarily affecting 10-19-year-olds. Three dengue-related deaths have been reported to date and six patients are currently hospitalised and in stable condition. Authorities continue case investigations, vector control at hot spot areas and public awareness efforts, urging residents to eliminate breeding sites, use protective measures, and seek medical attention for severe symptoms. The serotype that is responsible for this current outbreak is Dengue Virus Type 2 (DENV-2) identified by the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL), Melbourne Australia. The red alert for DENV-2 is maintained. – Source: Dengue Fever Outbreak, Situation report #52 (19 May 2025) shared with focal point on 19 May 2025.
Pertussis / Whooping cough
- New Zealand: As of week ending on 9th May, weekly pertussis cases in New Zealand increased to 34 from 30 in week ending on 2nd May, bringing the total reported cases since the beginning of 2025 to 1231. According to the latest report from the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) 2,296 confirmed, probable and suspect cases have been notified since the start of the national epidemic on 19 October 2024. Of these, 194 cases (8.9%) have required hospitalisation with one reported death, with 90 (48.4%) of the 188 cases in infants under 1 year hospitalised. The blue alert is maintained. – Sources: Pertussis dashboard and Pertussis rerport 5 April - 2 May 2025 accessed on 20 May 2025.
- Samoa: As of 14 May 2025, the Ministry of Health has officially declared the Pertussis Outbreak over. The announcement follows a consistent decline in reported cases with zero suspected cases in the past four weeks. Since the outbreak was declared on 28 November 2024, a total of 427 suspected and confirmed cases of Pertussis have been reported. The Ministry has observed a steady reduction in case numbers over the past 3 months showcasing a positive indication of improved immunization coverage and public health response. Although the outbreak has ended, the Ministry strongly advises the public to remain vigilant and ensure that immunisations, particularly for pertussis, are kept up to date. Consequently, the blue alert is removed. - Source: Official Declaration: Pertussis Outbreak in Samoa Has Ended accessed on 20 May 2025.
Polio/Poliomyelitis
- Papua New Guinea: As of 14 May 2025, the Papua New Guinea government activated its National Polio Preparedness and Immunisation Response Plan. This is in response to the detection of the vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in environmental samples in Port Moresby and in two children in Lae Morobe Province, confirming the presence of the virus in the community. The World Health Organization has declared a polio outbreak in Papua New Guinea following the detection of the viruses. Vaccination efforts are being intensified, with two nationwide vaccination campaigns planned, expanded disease monitoring, and support from WHO, UNICEF, and the Australian government to prevent further spread. The outbreak poses a significant risk to young children, especially in areas with low vaccination rates, and concerns are being raised about potential spread to neighbouring countries. As a result, a red alert for Polio is added. - Source: Papua New Guinea National Department of Health and Polio outbreak confirmed in Papua New Guinea, World Health Organization says accessed on 20 May 2025.
Other Information:
Chikungunya
- Réunion Island: The ongoing chikungunya epidemic in Réunion Island has seen a decline in surveillance indicators such as number of consultations and visits to the emergency room. Between 5 to 11 May 2025, there have been 8,000 consultations and 161 visits to the emergency room. Since the beginning of the year, 173,000 consultations, 2,554 visits to the emergency room, 386 hospitalizations and twelve deaths linked to chikungunya have been reported. The French medicines agency announced that only one death appears to be linked to the Ixchiq vaccine deployed in Reunion Island against chikungunya, while two other deaths remain inconclusive. The vaccine campaign was suspended for those over 65 due to serious side effects, including encephalitis in an octogenarian. Despite the epidemic calming down in Reunion, health authorities are concerned about potential transmission in mainland France due to favorable weather conditions for the tiger mosquitoes. The vaccination campaign which began on April 07 remains available for those aged 18 to 64 with comorbidities. Health Authorities emphasize monitoring for allergic reactions within 72 hours of vaccination and seeking immediate medical attention if symptoms occur. Health authorities are urging heightened vigilance for travellers to Réunion, visitors are advised to take preventive measures against mosquito bites, including the use of insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved clothing, and staying in accommodations with screened windows or air conditioning. Returning travellers may pose a risk of introducing chikungunya to other regions, where Aedes mosquito vectors are present. It is recommended that returning travellers monitor for symptoms (fever, joint pain, rash) for up to two weeks and seek medical attention if symptoms arise. - Sources: Chikungunya : Les autorités sanitaires retirent les personnes de 65 ans et plus des cibles de la campagne de vaccination contre le chikungunya avec le vaccin IXCHIQ à La Réunion et à Mayotte , Surveillance sanitaire à La Réunion. Bulletin du 7 mai 2025 and Chikungunya à La Réunion: un seul décès vraisemblablement lié au vaccin, selon l'agence du médicament accessed on 20 May 2025.
Measles
- Australia: In Australia, the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System shows 71 measles cases have been reported across the country in 2025, exceeding the total number reported for 2024. It has reached the highest number recorded since 2019, when there were 284 measles cases reported. For this year, most cases were reported in people aged 25-29 years followed by children aged 0-4years old. Victoria recorded 26 infections, New South Wales 21, and Western Australia 18. There is currently an increased risk of measles in greater Melbourne, in addition to the ongoing risk of measles importation in Victoria in travellers returning from overseas. The public who visited greater Melbourne area from early May have been advised to monitor for symptoms up to 18 days after exposure and to contact their GP if symptoms develop. - Sources: Measles cases across the country reach highest levels in six years and More measles cases in Victoria accessed on 20 May 2025.
- Canada: In Canada, for EpiWeek 18 (27 April – 03 May2025) there has been 345 new measles cases (293 confirmed and 53 probable) bringing the total to 1,846 cases (1593 confirmed, 253 probable) across nine jurisdictions. The jurisdictions are as follows Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan. - Source: Measles and rubella weekly monitoring report accessed on 20 May 2025.
- New Zealand: In New Zealand, a measles case has been confirmed in Auckland involving a ferry crew member who likely contracted the disease while traveling in South East Asia. The Health team have contacted nearly 300 people identified as close contact of the measles case, with 206 no longer needing to quarantine. As of May 16, there remains only one confirmed case, with no new cases or locations of interest. Efforts carried out include offering MMR vaccinations and delivering food packages to those in quarantine. - Sources New measles case in Auckland - alerts issued over ferries and supermarket,Vaccine rates putting New Zealand at risk of measles outbreak, health expert says and World Politics Pacific Te Ao Māori Sport Business Country Local Democracy Reporting Comment & Analysis In Depth Weather New Zealand health16 May 2025 Measles case: 78 in quarantine as hundreds of close contacts identified accessed on 20 May 2025.
- United States: In the United States, the CDC reported a total of 1,024 measles cases across 31 U.S. jurisdictions, as of May 15th with 92% of these cases linked to fourteen outbreaks. The majority of cases are among unvaccinated individuals (96%), and 13% of the cases have resulted in hospitalization. There have been three confirmed deaths. The 31 jurisdictions that have reported measles cases are as follows, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia and Washington. - Source: Measles Cases and Outbreaks accessed on 20 May 2025.