French Polynesia: Dengue fever outbreak reported across the islands as of September

Event

At least 843 confirmed cases of dengue fever have been reported in French Polynesia since February 2019 as of Saturday, September 21, with 254 new cases reported between Monday, August 26, and Sunday, September 8. As of Saturday, the most affected zones are urban areas across Tahiti island, including the Afaahiti commune, Taravao, and the area between the communes of Mahina and Paea.

Further spread of the disease is possible in the coming weeks.

Context

Symptoms of dengue fever include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, nausea, and rashes. Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a potentially deadly complication that is characterized by high fever, the enlargement of the liver, and hemorrhaging.

Advice

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