01 Feb 2020 | 05:51 PM UTC
French Polynesia: Government confirms 74 new cases of dengue fever as of January 12 /update 1
Government confirms 74 new cases of dengue fever from December 30 to January 12; take precautionary measures against mosquitoes
Event
On Wednesday, January 22, French Polynesia's Directorate of Health confirmed 74 new cases of dengue fever between Monday, December 30, and Sunday, January 12, bringing the total number of cases reported to 2499 since an epidemic was declared in February 2019. Islands with declared epidemics include Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Raiatea, Huahine, Taha'a, Rangiroa, Ua Pou, Hiva Oa, Ua Huka, Fatu Hiva, Tubuai, and Nuku Hiva. Other islands with dengue alerts include Maupiti, Takarao, Tikehau, Arutua, Tahuata, and Tureia.
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 in a screened-in or air-conditioned room) and to eliminate possible mosquito breeding grounds on their properties (e.g. small pockets of fresh water, such as rainwater that has collected in cans, bottles, tires, flower pots, clogged gutters, etc.).
