Attachments
Highlights/updates since the last map was sent on PacNet on 18 July 2023:
Influenza-like Illness (ILI), Influenza A and B
- Palau: As of 23 July 2023, the number of influenza B is decreasing since week 26. In week 29 the Belau National Hospital laboratory reported 5 cases from isolates. There is also a decrease in ILI cases reported (10 cases in week 29 compared to 29 cases in week 28). As a result, the red alert is changed to blue. – Source: Ministry of Health & Human Services Syndromic Surveillance (Epi Week 29 of 2023 and report information through July 23, 2023).
- Vanuatu: As of 16 July 2023, the National Surveillance Unit recorded 325 new ILI cases between the 10 to 16 July 2023. Testing confirmed 12 cases of Influenza B and 23 cases of Influenza A H1N1. The number of new cases decreased nationally by 48% from the previous week. To date, 16 cases have been hospitalised. The number of cases documented has remained below the alert threshold for the past two weeks, therefore Vanuatu Ministry of Health declared the outbreak over. As a result, the red alert for influenza A and B is removed from the map. – Source: Seasonal Influenza Outbreak – Situation Report #4 (report date 21/07/2023, covering period from 2nd January – 16th July 2023).
Coronavirus disease 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.
- Palau: As of 29 July 2023, 12 of 17 samples tested were positive for COVID-19. The weekly number of new COVID-19 cases does not represent the total weekly number of new confirmed cases as patient visits from only 6 community Health Centre site were reported. – Source: Ministry of Health & Human Services Syndromic Surveillance (Epi Week 29 of 2023 and report information through July 23, 2023).
Other information:
Dengue
- Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas (CNMI): As of 17 July 2023, the CNMI Epidemiology Laboratory Capacity team was notified about a suspected dengue case involving a patient who had recently returned from Bali. The patient began feeling ill on July 9 and was scheduled to leave the island on the same day they were notified. An investigation was conducted, and samples collected from the patient's residence to test for larvae, while the Commonwealth Health Corporation Laboratory team sent a serum specimen to Guam Public Health Laboratory for testing. The test confirmed a positive result for DENV-1 serotype (sequencing pending), with no Zika or Chikungunya detected. – Source: CNMI Weekly Syndromic Surveillance Report (Epi Week 28; Epi Week Date: July 09 – July 15, 2023).
Measles
- Australia (Queensland): As of 21 July 2023, New South Wales Health is urging people to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles after being notified of two confirmed cases of measles. Both cases are from the same family and acquired their infections overseas. The cases visited several locations in Sydney while infectious.– Source: Public health alert: measles alert for international flight passengers, Randwick and Rose Bay - News (nsw.gov.au) on 25 July 2023.
Influenza-Like Illness and Influenza B
- Republic of Marshall Island (RMI): As of 16 July 2023, the number of Influenza-Like Illness was above threshold with 26 cases in week 28; the threshold is 21 weekly cases. Furthermore in RMI weekly Surveillance report, 6 Influenza B cases and 19 RSV were reported in week 28– Source: RMI Communicable Disease Weekly Report, Ministry of Health and Human Services (report for week 27 & 28).