Dengue

Fiji deals with thousands of cases of LTDD

Minister for Health, Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete said there were 1,747 dengue fever cases with five deaths.

He said there had also been 99 cases of typhoid with one death.

The minister said his ministry was positioning itself to combat the spread of such disease.

Waqainabete said natural disasters increased the intensity of the diseases and also highlighted that there were 3,019 cases of diarrhoeal disease.

 

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South Auckland father-of-four dies in Samoa from dengue fever complications

Fiaalii Mariner was admitted to hospital in Samoa suffering from the tropical disease within the first six weeks of landing in the country with his wife and his two youngest children.

His condition deteriorated so badly he was not able to be airlifted to New Zealand for further treatment.

A post on Givealittle said the father-of-two, who is believed to also have two other children, died and asked for those who had donated to pray for his wife and the family.

Hawaii health officials deal with dengue outbreak

More than 150 people on the island of Hawaii have so far contracted the mosquito borne virus and more cases are expected.

Hawaii's disease outbreak control centre says it is still safe to travel to the Big Island.

Samoa encouraged by dengue fever vaccine

The French pharmaceutical company Sanofi says it has been developing the vaccine, Dengvaxia, for 20 years and it was given the green light based on results from clinical trials involving more than 40,000 people.

It says the vaccine reduced the risk of hospitalisation by 80 percent and lowered the possibility of developing the severest form of the disease by 93 percent.

The director general for health in Samoa, Leausa Dr Take Naseri, says dengue is a problem in the country, so the news is welcome.

Dengue fever cases up in American Samoa

The September the 6th report includes those seen at the LBJ Hospital Emergency Room and clinics, and the Community Health Centres.

137 have been admitted to hospital.

Since the dengue fever outbreak in May, four people have died from the mosquito-borne disease.

Manu'a is still dengue-free.

 

Samoa looks to prevent dengue's spread

Samoa's Ministry of Health says it has recorded 475 cases of dengue fever over the past ten weeks.

To prevent the spread of the mosquito-borne disease, the Ministry is asking people to wear suitable clothing during peak mosquito biting times at dusk and dawn.

Communities are also being asked to destroy mosquito breeding sites, like stagnant water in gutters, pot plants and tyres, and to clear rubbish around homes and workplaces.

The Ministry says there has not been a huge increase in the number of dengue cases, and clinics are not overwhelmed.

Dengue fever cases in Samoa rises to 220

It says the serotype three strain has been identified and most of the cases are from the North West Upolu region.

Children and teenagers have been the largest group affected by the mosquito borne illness.

There have been 15 admissions to hospital with four children seriously unwell but no reported deaths.

The Ministry says it is now reserving rapid laboratory testing for the sickest patients.

Mosquito spraying, increased surveillance and public education are all underway throughout Samoa to prevent dengue spreading.

Community effort helps fight dengue in American Samoa

Officials from the Centers for Disease Control left American Samoa on Friday, after helping the territory respond to the outbreak for two weeks.

Four people died with more than 184 suspected dengue cases recorded.

The acting team leader at the CDC Dengue Fever Branch in Puerto Rico, epidemiologist Tyler Sharp, says the territory is taking dengue fever seriously.

Dengue fever outbreak in Samoa

Speaking to the Sunday Samoan, the Director General of Health, Leausa Dr. Take Naseri, said the fact that 121 cases of dengue have been found is a warning.

He declared that there is an outbreak of dengue fever and cautioned members of the public. “Five of eight blood samples tested confirmed DENV serotype 3,” he explained.

“Since mid June, there has been a cumulative total of 121 dengue like illness (DLI) cases recorded.

“So far there are no reported deaths there but there are complicated cases.”