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Epidemic and emerging disease alerts in the Pacific as of 29 May 2023

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Highlights/updates since the last map was sent on PacNet on 23 May 2023:

Influenza A & B and Influenza-Like-Illness (ILI):

  • Tonga: As of 21 May 2023, a 25% increase in ILI cases in Week 20 (76 cases) has been attributed to a change of weather. Of the 10 samples tested, four were positive for Human Rhino/enterovirus and Human Metapneumovirus and one for Adenovirus. Influenza B has gradually decreased from week 16 and has not been detected in any samples in week 19 and 20, as for influenza A last cases reported from week 17. As a result, the blue alert for influenza A and B is removed. – Source: Weekly Communicable Disease Syndromic Surveillance week 20.
  • Vanuatu: As of 24 May 2023, the National Surveillance Unit recorded 595 ILI cases. The number of cases documented has exceed the alert threshold for the last three weeks and therefore, the Office of the Director of Public Health has declared a seasonal Flu Outbreak with co-circulation of multiple respiratory viruses. Testing conducted at the Vila Central Hospital lab has confirmed increased cases of influenza A H1N1, influenza B, advenovirus, rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus and COVID-19. Consequently, a red alert for Influenza A and B is added. – Source: Seasonal Influenza Outbreak – Situation Report #1 (report date 22/05/2023, covering period from 10 April to 14 May 2023).

Leptospirosis:

  • Vanuatu: From the 15 May to 24 May, seven new leptospirosis cases were reported, bringing the total to 75 leptospirosis cases recorded since the beginning of the year. Of those 68 were laboratory confirmed and 7 clinically diagnosed. A total of 6 deaths have been recorded since January 2023. – Source: Leptospirosis in Vanuatu – Situation Update 06 (report Date: 26 May 2023 / Covering Period from 2 January to 24 May 2023) – Vanuatu Ministry of Health.

Measles:

  • American Samoa: As of the 25 May 2023, the emergency declaration for measles was extended for another two weeks until 8 June, under an amended declaration issued by the Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga. There have been two laboratory confirmed measles cases and 74 probable cases. More than 2,900 Mumps, Measles and Rubella (MMR) vaccinations had been administered since the first measles cases were confirmed. As the latest confirmed case dated from the 10 April 2023, the red alert is changed to a blue alert. – Source: Emergency Declaration for Measles extended 2 weeks | Talanei accessed on 30 May 2023.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19):

  • Australia: Over the last week, 41,188 cases of COVID-19 were reported across Australia, an average of 5,884 cases per day. – Source: Department of Health, Australian Government accessed on 30 May 2023.

  • Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas (CNMI): As of 20 May 2023, a total of 13,916 COVID-19 cases and 43 deaths were reported by Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation of CNMI. The number of new COVID-19 cases increased by 11% in week 20 compared to the previous 3 weeks. There were no hospitalisations in week 20. – Source: CNMI Weekly Syndromic Surveillance Report (Epi Week 20; Epi Week Date: May 14 – May 20, 2023).

  • Cook Islands: As of 24 May 2023, a total of 7,120 COVID-19 cases and 2 deaths were reported by the Cook Islands Ministry of Health.– Source: COVID-19 - Cook Island Response accessed on 30 May 2023.

  • Federated States of Micronesia (FSM): As of 26 May 2023, a total of 26,458 COVID-19 cases and 65 deaths were reported by the FSM Department of Health and Social Affairs. – Source: FSM Department of Health and Social Affairs accessed on 30 May 2023.

  • French Polynesia: As of 21 May 2023, a total of 78,763 COVID-19 cases and 650 deaths were reported in French Polynesia. 12 new cases were reported in week 20. A persistent but low circulation of the virus is observed at the end of this wave, particularly in Tahiti. – Source: Bulletin de surveillance sanitaire Polynésie Française n° 19 – 2023.

  • Guam: As of 24 May 2023, a total of 61,789 COVID-19 cases and 413 deaths were reported by the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS). – Source: COVID-19 Surveillance Summary & Situation Report 19 May 2023.

  • Hawaii: As of 24 May 2023, a total of 389,194 COVID-19 cases and 1,909 deaths were reported by the Hawaii Department of Health. – Source: State of Hawaii, Department of Health accessed on 30 May 2023.

  • Kiribati: As of 28 May 2023, a total of 5,031 COVID-19 confirmed community cases and 24 deaths were reported by the Kiribati Government. – Source: Personal communication with country officials on 29 May 2023.

  • New Zealand: As of 29 May 2023, a total of 2,375,191 COVID-19 cases and 2,942 deaths were reported by the New Zealand Ministry of Health. The 7-day rolling new case average is 1,982.– Source : New Zealand Ministry of Health accessed on 23 May 2023.

  • Niue: As of 27 May 2023, a total of 811 COVID-19 cases and no deaths were reported by the Niue Government.The Niue Department of Health announces that Niue currently has three (3) active cases of COVID-19. The first of these cases was detected on Sunday 21 May. All cases are isolating. Their household members have been advised to test daily for the next 5 days and report their COVID-19 status to health officials should they become positive. – Source: Niue Government accessed on 30 May 2023.

  • Palau: As of 19 May 2023, a total of 6,009 COVID-19 cases and 9 deaths were reported by the Republic of Palau. – Source: Ministry of Health & Human Services - Republic of Palau accessed on 30 May 2023.

  • Republic of Marshall Island (RMI): As of 22 May 2023, a total of 16,099 COVID-19 cases and 17 deaths were reported by the RMI Ministry of Health and Human Services. – Source: RMI COVID-19 Situation Report ministry of Health and Human Services (22 May 2023).

  • Solomon Islands: As of 21 May 2023, a total of 25,943 COVID-19 cases and 199 deaths were reported by the Ministry of Health & Medical Services. There has been a decrease in the number of new cases reported since week 16. As a result, *the red alert is changed to a blue alert. – Source: Personal communication with country officials on 24 May 2023.

  • Tokelau: As of 29 May 2023, Tokelau's largest atoll, Nukunonu, is now out of lockdown after experiencing its first community cases of COVID-19. In a statement, the government said Fakaofo Atoll has had two cases at the border and Nukunonu now has six positive community cases all within the same household. This includes the two new community cases who are children from the same family who have been isolating together. Source: Tokelau Covid: Two new cases announced as lockdown ends | RNZ News accessed on 30 May 2023.

  • Wallis and Futuna: As of 23 May 2023, a total of 3,537 COVID-19 cases and 7 deaths have been reported by Wallis and Futuna Health department. – Source: Personal communication with country officials on 23 May 2023.

COVID-19 Vaccination:

  • As of 30 May 2023, a total of 2,825,698 first doses; 2,493,378 second doses; and 854,539 first booster doses have been administered across all 22 Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs).

MORE information and data visualization products on COVID-19 morbidity, mortality and vaccination in the Pacific Islands can be accessed on SPC website at https://www.spc.int/updates/blog/2021/03/covid-19-pacific-community-updates.

Outside of the Pacific

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19):

Mpox (Monkeypox):

  • Since 1st January 2022, cases of mpox have been reported to WHO from 110 Member States across all 6 WHO regions. As of 23 May 2023, a total of 87,529 laboratory confirmed cases and 1,098 probable cases, including 141 deaths, have been reported to WHO. – Source: WHO, 2022-23 Mpox Outbreak accessed on 30 May 2023.

Other information:

Influenza-Like Illness

  • Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) - Pohnpei: As of 26 May 2023, the number of ILI cases has exceeded Pohnpei State thresholds in week 21. Through the syndromic surveillance system, the number of ILI cases reported increased abruptly from 90 in week 20 to 203 in week 21. A total of 10 samples were collected and tested, 7 specimens were positive for Influenza B, one for COVID-19 and 2 negative for both. – Source: Pohnpei State Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) - Sitrep #1accessed on 30 May 2023.

Leptospirosis

  • Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) - Pohnpei: As of 21 May 2023, Pohnpei State reported 5 cases of leptospirosis in week 21. A total of 21 cases have been reported since the beginning of the year. – Source: Communicable Disease Weekly Bulletin – Pohnpei State Department of Health and Social Services.

Meningococcal Meningitis

  • Australia: As of 24 May 2023, the Western Australia (WA) Department of Health has reported an adult diagnosed with meningococcal serogroup B disease. To date in 2023, four meningococcal cases have been reported in WA; three cases were serogroup B and one was serogroup Y. In 2022, a total of 18 meningococcal cases were reported and there were no deaths. – Source: Adult with meningococcal disease (health.wa.gov.au)accessed on 30 May 2023.
  • New Zealand: As of 25 May 2023, a person has died from meningococcal disease in the Wellington region. It is the first case in the region this year and the third death since 2018. Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand has followed up with contacts of the patient and assured that there is no further risk, while urging the community to be alert for symptoms, especially during the winter and early spring when cases tend to rise. – Source: Death reported in Wellington from meningococcal disease | RNZ Newsaccessed on 30 May 2023.

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