French Polynesia: At least 2400 dengue cases reported as of December 30

Event

As of Monday, December 30, at least 2400 cases of dengue fever have been reported across French Polynesia since the outbreak was first declared in February. An epidemic has been declared on the Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Raiatea, Huahine, Taha'a, Rangiroa, Ua Pou, Hiva Oa, Ua Huka, Fatu Hiva, and Tubuai islands, while a dengue alert has been issued for the Maupiti, Takarao, Tikehau, Arutua, and Tureia islands.

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 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.).