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Vanuatu

Vanuatu: Efate Island Seasonal Influenza Outbreak - Situation Report #2 - Report Date: 22/01/2025 Covering Period from 30th December 2024 - 12 January 2025

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[Excerpt]

Overview

  • In ERiWeek 02 (Period from 06/01/2025 -12/01/2025), National Surveillance unit recorded a total of 419 Influenza like Illness cases in Efate Island. There was no lab testing done to confirm causative agent.
  • Majority of the cases were from Ohlen, Mele, Bladiniere with more than 25 cases followed by Teouma with 10 cases.
  • No deaths reported during the reporting period.
  • The number of cases documented has surpassed the alert threshold {268 cases /week), Outbreak is maintained on Efate Island.
  • Respiratory Viruses are easily spread by an infected person to another through direct contact similarly to COVID-19.
  • These viruses are common around the world and follow a seasonal pattern with increased during the dry cold period between May and October in Vanuatu. Previous years outbreaks occurred mainly in May- June.
  • The Ministry of Health is working with partners to support with specimen testing overseas.
  • Case definition: Fever either reported or measured (>=38°C) PLUS
    • Cough (usually dry)
    • Sore throat
    • Other symptoms can included a runny nose, headache, muscle and joint pains, and fatigue (sever tiredness)
    • Most people who get flu will recover in a few days to less than two weeks, but some people will develop complications (such as pneumonia) as a result.