Attachments
The following syndromes have been flagged:
Diarrhoea: American Samoa, Tonga Influenza-like illness: French Polynesia, Tonga Prolonged Fever: Kiribati, Niue
Other updates:
Chikungunya
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Chikungunya outbreaks are on-going in Cook Islands, Kiribati, New Caledonia. Outbreaks in American Samoa, French Polynesia and Samoa are waning.
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For the week ending 20 February 2015 Kiribati reported 8616 suspected cases since 23 January 2015. Age range: 0-82 years; median age 24 years; Female 53% Male 47%.
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Cook Islands- 119 cases were reported since November 2014 to 24 February 2015.
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Niue: Laboratory confirmation received from Lab PLUS NZ in a fatal case that had previously travelled to Samoa. Information regarding this case was highlighted on PacNet on 5 February 2015.
Dengue
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Dengue outbreaks are occurring in Fiji (dengue serotype-2) and Tonga.
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French Polynesia. There were 10 confirmed cases for week ending 8 February 2015. Dengue serotype-1 has been identified .The weekly number of cases is decreasing.
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Tonga reports 105 dengue-like illness cases for week ending 22 February 2015. Dengue serotype 3 has been identified. There have been four imported dengue cases (ELISA Ig M positive) identified in New Zealand in returned travellers from Tonga for week ending 8 February 2015. For further details regarding the Tonga situation, please refer to Dr Ofa Tukia’s PacNet post on 20 February 2015.
Pertusis
- There is an outbreak occurring in Guam. Further information will be relayed by the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services.
Leptospirosis
- French Polynesia – There have been 4 new cases week ending 15 and 22 February 2015 since. There have been a total of 20 cases since early January 2015.
Measles
- There are measles outbreaks occurring in Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. Few cases of Acute Fever and Rash have been reported from the Solomon Islands, laboratory confirmation is pending.
Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)
- There have been over 23 500 cases of EVD in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone with over 9500 reported deaths (outcomes for many cases are unknown) as of 22 February 2015.
A total of 99 new confirmed cases were reported in the week to 22 February. Guinea reported 35 new confirmed cases. Cases continue to arise from unknown chains of transmission. Transmission remains widespread in Sierra Leone, with 63 new confirmed cases. Transmission continues at very low levels in Liberia.
- To review recent Pacific Ebola updates on PacNet please refer to our web page on the provided link Ebola resources for PICs
Finally we would like to express our sincere condolences for the passing of the late Mrs Unaisi Bera, former Deputy Secretary Public Health, Fiji. Mrs Bera is best remembered for her vibrancy, humour and commanding leadership.
Many thanks to the island nations that have contributed to this week’s report.