Article Summary
The Cook Islands are experiencing a dengue fever outbreak, with seven confirmed cases this month in Rarotonga. To combat the spread, the government has initiated clean-up campaigns and insecticide spraying, urging public servants to participate in community cleaning efforts. Authorities aim to control the outbreak locally and prevent it from reaching smaller islands with fewer resources. This latest outbreak is the first since 2021 and involves both type one (DENV-1) and two (DENV-2) variants.
What This Means for You
- Be aware of the current dengue fever outbreak in the Cook Islands, particularly if you have upcoming travel plans.
- Take precautions to protect yourself against mosquito bites during the daytime, using insect repellent and covering up exposed skin.
- Keep informed about local cleaning campaigns and consider participating in community efforts to reduce mosquito breeding sites.
- If you plan to travel to the Cook Islands, monitor the situation and follow any guidelines or restrictions established by local authorities.
Dengue outbreak spurs clean-up campaign in Cook Islands
Big clean-up campaigns are under way in Rarotonga to try stamp out mosquito breeding grounds. The Cook Islands declared a dengue fever outbreak last Thursday (Friday NZ time). Outbreaks have also been called in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, which have all had at least one death because of the viral infection.
The Cook Islands has had seven confirmed cases this month – all on Rarotonga. Three are active and are from the same household. An outbreak is declared in the Cook Islands when five cases of dengue are reported within a 15-day period. Acting health secretary Dr Teariki Faireka said the last Cook Islands outbreak was declared in 2021.
“One of our goals is to stop it here on Rarotonga and to stop it from spreading to our smaller islands,” Faireka said. He said the outer islands did not have the resources to deal with severe cases of dengue. Faireka said the Ministry of Health alongside the Prime Minister signed off on Operation Namu, which includes clean-up campaigns and spraying.
On Friday, nonessential public servants were allowed to take part in a mass clean-up on Rarotonga instead of doing their normal job. “We had a good turnout where everyone pitched in to help with the clean and we also identified areas that needed further support,” he said.
“So vacant areas that have overgrown hedges or overgrown grass, that will be targeted within the next two weeks for cleaning at some point.” Mark Thomas, associate professor of infectious diseases at Auckland University, said dengue fever outbreaks were seasonal, supported by lots of rain.
“If there’s plenty of small pools of water around the amount that would settle in an open coconut shell or in a tire that’s lying on the ground, some small pool somewhere. Then the mosquitoes increase their rate of breeding, there are more people getting bitten by mosquitoes, and more transmission of dengue from person to person by the mosquitos,” he said.
The dengue cases on Rarotonga have been type one (DENV-1) and two (DENV-2). Thomas said there are several variants, but people are unlikely to be infected by the same sub-type.
“They may be exposed in subsequent epidemics years later and then the second episode, that will likely be some
People Also Ask About
- What causes dengue fever outbreaks? Dengue fever outbreaks are caused by the rapid spread of the dengue virus, primarily through the bites of infected mosquitoes.
- What are the symptoms of dengue fever? Symptoms of dengue fever can include high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, nausea, and a skin rash.
- How is dengue fever transmitted? Dengue fever is transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes, primarily the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus species.
- How can dengue fever be prevented? Preventing dengue fever involves reducing mosquito populations, eliminating breeding sites, and using personal protective measures such as insect repellent and mosquito nets.
Expert Opinion
Dengue fever outbreaks pose significant health challenges, particularly in tropical regions with limited resources. The current outbreak in the Cook Islands demonstrates the importance of proactive measures, such as community clean-up campaigns and public awareness initiatives, to control the spread of the disease. As climate change continues to impact global weather patterns, the frequency and severity of dengue fever outbreaks may increase, necessitating ongoing vigilance and investment in public health infrastructure.
Key Terms
- Dengue Fever
- Mosquito-borne Disease
- Mosquito Control
- Public Health Campaigns
- Tropical Diseases
- Insect Repellent
- Outer Islands
- Seasonal Outbreaks
- Insecticide Spraying
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