Pacific / Cook Islands

78 dengue fever cases reported in Cook Islands

14:59 pm on 16 August 2019

Seventy-eight dengue cases have been reported in Cook Islands since the outbreak began early in the year.

The Cook Islands News reports the Ministry of Health saying 22 were confirmed cases while 56 have been deemed probable positives.

The Asian tiger mosquito is one of the vectors responsible for transmitting dengue fever. Photo: SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

The dengue outbreak was officially declared in late February following a New Zealand laboratory test confirmation of seven type 1 cases.

A ministry situation report says Rarotonga and Aitutaki are the only islands affected - most of the cases are from Rarotonga.

The report says Aitutaki has managed to contain its number of cases to three. The last case was reported on 18 April.

The age range of the victims is from three to 79 years old.

A dengue awareness campaign is underway this week, with inspections around Rarotonga.