24-07-2025
Urgent warning to Aussie travellers as worst outbreak in 10 years strikes Pacific nations
Australian travellers are being warned to take caution when visiting several popular holiday destinations in the Pacific, as dengue fever cases spike to their highest numbers in a decade. Thousands of people have been infected in multiple countries and at least two children have died, with the virus affecting an alarmingly high number of young people.
There are currently more than 18,000 suspected cases of dengue in the Pacific, with that number still expected to rise. Among the countries with a confirmed outbreak are Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, the Cook Islands and Kiribati. Other countries, including French Polynesia, American Samoa, Nauru and Tuvalu, have also reported cases of dengue fever.
The mosquito-borne virus has similar symptoms to a bad flu or Covid virus, which can make it difficult to diagnose without a blood test. Symptoms typically include sudden fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting and a faint red rash.
The latest data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) shows the disease has spread the most rapidly in Fiji, Tonga and French Polynesia.
Two children die after getting dengue
Officials in Samoa reported that a staggering 87 per cent of the infected have been children and teenagers.
On July 13, eight-year-old Faith Melchoir became the second child in the country to die from dengue. The first was 12-year-old Misiafa Lene, who died in New Zealand after being flown out of Samoa on an emergency medevac flight back in April.
The nation's government even delayed the start of term 3 for some primary schools this week due to the increasing number of children infected with the virus.
Dr Nancy Wong from the World Health Organisation Representative Office for the South Pacific told Yahoo News there's a reason why young people are more highly represented in the statistics.
"Because being infected with a strain of dengue usually provides lifelong immunity against that strain, children can be at much higher risk of being infected when the strain is reintroduced into the country," she said.
"Many adults would have been infected previously, meaning they are protected from reinfection with that strain."
There are four strains of dengue, with two currently in the Pacific. Once someone recovers from the disease, they generally get life-long immunity — but only to that strain.
Dr Wong said there are a number of factors that are contributing to the surge in cases this year. These include:
Increased rainfall and higher temperatures that mosquitoes favour. Climate change can contribute to these weather conditions
Increased international movement of people, and the possibility of a person infected with a different strain arriving in a new country
Large gaps between outbreaks can mean there is a new generation of people who haven't previously been exposed to the virus
Stronger disease surveillance and reporting can appear to raise the number of cases
The WHO advises that even a bottle cap can contain enough water for a mosquito to breed, and urges locals to do their part to clean up any potential mosquito breeding sites. Drains, gutters, bottles, buckets, wheelbarrows and even spare tyres could all collect water and turn into a breeding ground.
Should Aussie travellers be worried?
Making the decision to postpone or cancel a trip due to a dengue outbreak is an entirely personal choice. While no experts are advising that affected countries be avoided, the SmartTraveller website does suggest to use caution when visiting some of the Pacific nations.
Dr Wong said those headed to any tropical destinations — not just in the Pacific — should be aware of the risks.
"Dengue fever is widespread globally, it's estimated that about half the world's population is now at risk," she said. "So being aware of dengue and how to protect yourself is very important for travellers to many parts of the world, and particularly to tropical and subtropical countries.
"The types of mosquitoes that can spread dengue bite during the day, and especially in the few hours after dawn, and the few hours before sunset."
Dr Wong added the best way to lower the risk of getting the disease is to:
wear clothes that cover as much of your body as possible
use mosquito nets for sleeping during the day, ideally nets sprayed with insect repellent
use door and window screens
use mosquito repellents (containing DEET, Picaridin or IR3535)
use coils and vaporisers.
"Dengue fever often causes no symptoms, but in some people, it can be a severe and life-threatening illness," she said. "It's important to understand the symptoms of dengue and especially severe dengue, and to seek medical care if you experience these symptoms."
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