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Epidemic and emerging disease alerts in the Pacific as of 25 June 2024

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Highlights/updates since the last map was sent on PacNet on 18 June 2024:

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Dengue

  • French Polynesia: In EpiWeek 24, two new dengue cases were confirmed out of 29 samples tested. As of 19 June, no additional case was reported in EpiWeek 25, bringing the total number of reported cases to 57 (50 confirmed cases and 7 probable cases) since 27 November 2023. There were no death or hospitalisation reported during this period. The blue alert is maintained. – Source: Bulletin de surveillance sanitaire de Polynésie française n°24 -2024 shared with PPHSN focal point on 22 June 2024.
  • Samoa: In EpiWeek 23, 7 new lab-confirmed dengue cases were reported, bringing the total to 425 since November 2023. No hospitalisation or death were reported during this period. The most affected age groups are children under 10 years old and adults over 60 years old. The North-West of Upolu (NWU) and Apia Urban Area (AUA) are the most affected areas. Serotype results are still pending. The blue alert is maintained. – Source: Samoa Ministry of Health Dengue Fever Outbreak Situation Report #15, EpiWeek 23 shared on PacNet on 20 June 2024.

Influenza A

  • Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Island (CNMI): In EpiWeek 24, CNMI reported a decrease in ILI cases from 43 in EpiWeek 23 to 33 in EpiWeek 24, marking a 26% decrease compared to the previous three weeks. Testing confirmed three (3) Influenza A cases out of 93 tests. The blue alert is maintained. – Source: CNMI Weekly Surveillance Report 2024 – EPI Week 24 shared to PPHSN focal point on 21 June 2024.
  • French Polynesia: In EpiWeek 24, there were 10 new confirmed cases (10 cases of influenza A and 0 case of Influenza B) out of 98 tests conducted. Among the reported cases, 6 were hospitalised, including 2 in the ICU. No additional death has been recorded in EpiWeek 24. Since April 1st, there have been 358 confirmed influenza cases, with 169 requiring hospitalisation and 10 deaths. The blue alert is maintained. – Source: Bulletin de surveillance sanitaire de Polynésie française n°24 -2024 shared with PPHSN focal point on 22 June 2024.

Other Information:

Avian Influenza

  • Australia, New South Wales: On 19 June 2024, NSW has confirmed the presence of H7 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) on a poultry farm in Greater Sydney, following previous detections in Victoria, where the first H7 HPAI strain was confirmed on May 22, 2024. In Victoria, five poultry farms have been infected, with the most recent confirmed case on June 17. Testing by CSIRO's Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness revealed that the NSW H7 HPAI strain is genetically related to viruses found in Australian wild birds and is not the H5 strain causing global concern, with no link to the H5N1 avian influenza detected in a returning traveller in Victoria. – Source: Avian influenza | Outbreak accessed on 25 June 2024.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

  • Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI): On the 21 June 2024, the Ministry of Health & Human Services (MoHHS) released statement following a recent increase in COVID-19 reported on Majuro Atoll. As a result, the Ministry is closely monitoring the situation and is prepared to implement measures as necessary to ensure the safety and health of the community. Additionally, MoHHS has enhanced its surveillance system for the Micronesian Games (15 – 24 June 2024)– Sources: Increase in COVID-19 cases in Majuro, accessed on 25 June 2024

Dengue

  • Australia, Queensland: As of 17 June 2024, one dengue case contracted on Mer Island in the Torres Strait Island Regional local government area was reported, bringing the total number of cases for the outbreak to 40 cases. On the June 3rd, five of these cases were identified as dengue type 3, while the serotypes for the remaining cases have not been determined. – Source: Notifiable conditions reports: Summary information | Queensland Health accessed on 25 June 2024.

Diarrhoea

  • Federated Sates of Micronesia, Pohnpei State: Pohnpei is experiencing a rise in diarrhoea cases, with a 135% increase above the 5-year weekly average, escalating from 21 cases in EpiWeek 23 to 61 in EpiWeek 24, affecting all age groups but predominantly children under 5. The majority of cases are distributed across municipalities, with the highest percentages in Kitti (22%), Kolonia (20%), and Sokehs (18%). Norovirus and pathogenic E. coli have been identified in some specimens, but more testing is required, and prevention efforts are ongoing with intensified infection control in health facilities. – Source: Communicable Disease Weekly Bulletin – Pohnpei State Department of health and social services (report for Epiweek: 24; June 10 -16, 2024) shared with PPHSN focal point on 21 June 2024.

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

  • Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Island (CNMI): In EpiWeek 23, The CNMI community has seen a rise in Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) cases, with 16 confirmed and an additional 13 potential cases, suggesting around 30 cases in total. The Environmental Health Disease Prevention (EHDP) has initiated community outreach and is collaborating with Department of Public Safety (DPHS) on a press release, while continuing to survey locations, verify student attendance, provide preventative information, and ensure the availability of sanitising agents. – Source: CNMI Weekly Surveillance Report 2024 – EPI Week 24 shared to PPHSN focal point on 21 June 2024.

Influenza and Other Respiratory Illnesses

  • Australia, New South Wales: During the period of 3-16 June 2024, influenza notifications have increased steadily nationally since late April, with 25,929 cases reported this fortnight compared to 17,574 in the previous fortnight. Cases are particularly high in New South Wales. In EpiWeek 24, influenza activity continues to increase, with emergency department admissions rising and test positivity increasing to 15.6% compared to 11.2% in EpiWeek 23. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) cases remain high despite a decline among the youngest children. Pertussis and pneumonia cases are unusually high among school-aged children. – Source: NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report – week ending 15 June 2024 - NSW respiratory surveillance - COVID-19 and influenza - COVID-19 (Coronavirus) accessed on 25 June 2024.

Measles

  • Australia, South Australia: On June 18, in Adelaide, a 1-year-old boy who had recently returned from overseas was hospitalized with measles, marking the sixth case in South Australia (SA) this year, double the number compared to the same period last year. This case highlights the increasing incidence of measles in South Australia, with only three cases reported in the entire year of 2023. Following this notification, NSW Health is advising vigilance for measles symptoms after being notified of person infectious with measles who travelled on flights from Dubai to Sydney and then to Adelaide on June 11. – Source: Measles case in Adelaide 18 June 2024 | SA Health and Measles alert for Sydney Airport International and Domestic Terminals - News (nsw.gov.au) accessed on 25 June 2024.

Mpox

  • Australia: On June 20, 2024, South Australia Health reported three locally acquired cases of Mpox in men of varying ages, adding to the total of 67 cases in Australia this year. This marks an increase in cases in South Australia, with three reported in 2024 compared to none the previous year. Additionally, New South Wales Health confirmed three new Mpox cases, bringing the total in NSW to 72 between May 2022 and January 2024, all linked to ongoing Mpox outbreaks interstate. – Source: Mpox cases in South Australia | SA Health and Three new mpox cases detected in NSW - News accessed on 04 June 2024

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