Attachments
Highlights/updates since the last map was sent on PacNet on 23 September 2025:
Dengue
- Cook Islands: On 22 May 2025, the Cook Islands Ministry of Health declared a dengue outbreak in Rarotonga, with 157 cases reported by 24 September, 144 recovered and 13 still active. Most of the cases belong to the 10-19 age group with no fatalities or severe dengue cases reported. Of 50 serotyped samples, 47 were DENV-1 and 3 were DENV-2, confirming co-circulation. Authorities are conducting clean-up campaigns and mass spraying campaign, urging the public to eliminate mosquito breeding sites, use repellents, wear protective clothing, and seek medical care if symptoms appear. The red alert for DENV-1 and DENV-2 is maintained. – Source: Dengue Status Update #37 accessed on 30 September 2025.
- French Polynesia: In EpiWeek 38, 9 new dengue cases (seven confirmed and two probable) were reported. Since November 27, 2023, a total of 2,626 cases has been recorded, including 2,352 confirmed and 274 probable cases. No hospitalisations reported in EpiWeek 38. The positivity rate decreased this week as compared to last week. The blue alert for DENV-1 is maintained. – Source: Bulletin de surveillance sanitaire de Polynésie française n°35- 2025 shared withPPHSN Coordinating Body focal point on 30 September 2025.
- Kiribati: The Ministry of Health and Medical Services confirmed a dengue outbreak on 24 April 2025, after a significant rise in confirmed cases. As of 23 September 2025, the Health Ministry reported a total of 487 confirmed dengue cases and 1,416 suspected dengue cases with 68 hospitalisations, all of which have been discharged, and one confirmed death. There have been no new cases since the last report on 23 September 2025. Dengue cases range in age from 1 month to 95 years, with the most affected group being those aged 3 to 9 years. Among all reported cases, 54% are female and 46% 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 and Medical Services 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. The red alert for DENV-1 and DENV-2 is maintained. – Source: Dengue Fever Situational Report #22 (29 September 2025) shared with PPHSN Coordinating Body focal point on 30 September 2025.
- Nauru: Dengue cases were first reported by the Republic of Nauru (RON) Hospital on 27 June 2025. As of 21 September 2025, the Ministry of Health has not reported any new cases since the last PacNet update on 23 September, thus confirmed case numbers remain at 453 out of the 1,542 tests conducted. Two fatalities were recorded on 30 July 2025, a 15-year-old male and 17-year-old female, with no current hospital admissions. The majority of cases are among children in the age of 5-10 years with 76% of the total cases being less than 18 years old. The cases are widely distributed across the island, with most of the cases from Aiwo, Denigomodu, Meneng, Buada, Anetan, Boe and Baitsi. Vector control activities, including thermal fogging, residual spraying and peri-focal spraying are being conducted in the households of confirmed cases. The public is advised to eliminate mosquito breeding sites, protect themselves from mosquito bites and seek prompt medical attention if symptoms appear. The blue alert for DENV-2 is maintained*.– Sources:* Nauru Bulletin Issue 11 and Dengue Fever Outbreak Situation Report #72 (21 September) shared with PPHSN Coordinating Body focal point on 30 September 2025.
- Tuvalu: The Tuvalu Department of Health declared a dengue outbreak on 5 June 2025. As of 28 September 2025, 690 suspected cases were tested, with 213 confirmed positive. The dengue cases are widely distributed along Fongafale and two outer islands, Nanumaga (8 cases) and Nukufetau (10 cases). The outbreak is due to Dengue Virus Type 2 (DENV-2). Currently, 88% of cases have recovered, while 24 remain active. 12 patients (six children and six adults) have been hospitalised since the start of the outbreak, with no current admissions and no deaths reported. Children under 14 years account for over two-thirds of cases ranging in age from 3 months to 68 years. Of the confirmed cases, 127 cases are males and 86 females. Hotspots include Fakaifou, Senala, Alapi and Lofeagai. In EpiWeek 39 (22-28 September), 20 new cases were detected, with 28% positivity rate, showing an increase compared to the previous week. The Department of Health continues to implement control measures, including response team coordination, technical support and assistance from external partners (SPC, PacMOSSI, WHO and DFAT), targeted spraying and ongoing public awareness through talkback shows and community engagement. The red alert for DENV-2 is maintained*. – Source: Dengue Fever Outbreak, Situation report #13 (28 September 2025) shared with PPHSN Coordinating Body focal point on 30 September 2025.*
Diarrhea
- Solomon Islands: Since 8 June 2025, the Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services has been actively monitoring the outbreak of diarrheal illness in Honiara and Guadalcanal. As of 6 July 2025, 3226 diarrhea cases were reported from six provinces, Honiara, Guadalcanal, Central, Choiseul, Isabel and Temotu which included one death in a 2-year-old child who had a history of diarrhea and vomiting. Most of the cases reported are in the age group 1-4 years with 78% of the total cases below 5years. As of 11 July 2025, 12 out of 23 stool samples collected were positive for rotavirus. Since the last PacNet update on 22 July 2025, there have been no new cases reported. According to the Pacific Syndromic Surveillance System (PSSS) report for EpiWeek 38 (15 – 21 September 2025) the diarrhoea cases have been decreasing since the peak in July. Consequently, the red alert for diarrhea is removed. - Sources: Diarrhoeal Outbreak in Honiara and Guadalcanal, Brief on Diarrhea Outbreak in Solomon Islands (18 July 2025) and PSSS Report posted on PacNet on 30 September 2025.
Influenza
- Wallis and Futuna: On 22 July 2025, the Wallis and Futuna Health Agency declared an outbreak of influenza along with active circulation of SARS-CoV-2, following the rise in reported cases since the beginning of July. As of 30 September, since 1 September, both Wallis and Futuna have remained below the threshold for influenza-like illness (ILI). The most recent reported influenza case was Influenza B in Wallis on 1 September, and Influenza A in Futuna on 25 August. Indicators have remained stable and below alert thresholds through week 38. Consequently, the red alert for influenza is removed. – Sources: Alerte - Epidemie de virus respiratoires - Wallis et Futuna and Personal exchange with country focal point on 26 September 2025.
Measles
- Australia: Queensland Health has reported an ongoing measles outbreak in Cairns, with 12 confirmed cases identified since 1 September 2025. As of 25 September, Queensland Health confirmed a measles case who was infectious while visiting several locations in Brisbane and Mooloolaba from 19 September to 21 September. A total of 22 measles cases has been notified in Queensland for this year alone. Active measles alerts are currently in place for Brisbane, Mooloolaba, Cairns, Gold Coast, Mackay and Townsville. As of 29 September, Western Australia (WA) Health confirmed 4 new measles cases in Hedland and Karratha Pilbara. Western Australia (WA) has also issued a measles alert, with new public exposure sites identified across Queensland, New South Wales and WA. Individuals who visited the listed exposure sites during the specified dates and times are advised to monitor for symptoms for up to three weeks from the exposure date, seek medical advice if symptoms develop and to check their vaccination status is up to date. A red alert for measles in Queensland is maintained – Sources: Measles alert for Brisbane and Mooloolaba,Measles alert for Cairns,Measles alert for Sydney’s north western suburbs,Measles alert for Sydney Airport and Northern NSW,Four new measles cases detected in the Pilbara and Measles alert accessed on 30 September 2025.
Pertussis/Whooping cough
- New Zealand: As of the week ending on 19 September, weekly pertussis cases in New Zealand decreased to 39 from 49 in the week ending on 12 September, bringing the total reported cases since the beginning of 2025 to 2,016. According to the latest report from the New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science (PHF Science), 3,101 confirmed, probable and suspect cases have been notified since the start of the national epidemic on 19 October 2024. Of these, 281 cases (9.5%) have required hospitalisation with one reported death. 132 (51.2%) out of the 261 cases in infants under 1 year have been hospitalised. The blue alert is maintained. – Sources: Pertussis dashboard and Pertussis Report 23 August–19 September 2025 accessed on 30 September 2025.
Other Information:
Measles
- Canada: In Canada, for EpiWeek 38 (14 – 20 September 2025) there has been 34 new measles confirmed cases bringing the total to 5,006 cases (4,646 confirmed, 360 probable) making it the country with the highest number of reported cases in the Region of the Americas, with persistent transmission in provinces like Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario. – Source: Measles and rubella weekly monitoring report accessed on 30 September 2025.
- New Zealand: In New Zealand, 4 measles cases have been reported in the Bay of Islands in Northland, including one confirmed and three historical cases, with four additional close contacts being assessed and isolated. The source is linked to overseas travel. A separate measles case has been reported in Queenstown likely linked to international travel with no connection to recent cases in Bay of Islands. Residents are urged to monitor for symptoms and to call their healthcare provider if unwell and check their immunisation status. – Source: Northland measles updateMeasles Cases and Outbreaks and New measles case confirmed in Queenstown accessed on 30 September 2025.
- United States: In the United States, the CDC reported a total of 1,514 measles cases across 42 U.S. jurisdictions, as of 23 September with 86% of these cases linked to forty outbreaks. The majority of cases are among unvaccinated individuals (92%), and 12% of the cases have resulted in hospitalization. There have been three confirmed deaths. The 42 jurisdictions that have reported measles cases are as follows, Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. – Source: Measles Cases and Outbreaks accessed on 30 September 2025.