New Caledonia: 11 dengue-related deaths as of July 4

Event

There have been at least 11 dengue-related deaths this year. The most recent death was confirmed on Tuesday, July 4.

There is a growing risk of dengue fever in New Caledonia. Cases have drastically increased since January 2017, with 4093 reported cases as of June 20, 2017. Only 248 cases were reported throughout all 12 months of 2016. A peak in reported cases was observed in mid-March 2017, with 585 cases confirmed over a two-weeks period.

Context

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease found mostly in urban and semi-urban areas. Symptoms of classic dengue fever include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, nausea, and rash. Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a potentially deadly complication that is characterized by high fever, enlargement of the liver, and hemorrhaging.

Advice

Individuals present in New Caledonia are advised to take measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites (e.g., by wearing covering clothing, using insect repellent, and sleeping in a screened-in or air-conditioned room) and to eliminate possible mosquito breeding grounds (small pockets of fresh water, such as rain water that has collected in cans, bottles, tires, flower pots, clogged gutters, etc.).