Auckland Regional Public Health Service

Warning issued over dengue fever spike

The Auckland Regional Public Health Service says 70 per cent of dengue fever cases in the last two months have been from Samoa. 

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Denise Barnfather says there's no vaccine in the Pacific for dengue fever, and the only way to prevent infection is to avoid mosquitoes.

"Dengue fever can be a severe illness. Those who travel to Pacific countries frequently are at risk of repeat infections with different strains of the dengue virus. This can lead to dengue hemorrhagic fever, which can be fatal."