New Zealand / Health

Govt launches dengue fever awareness campaign

19:32 pm on 16 March 2018

The Ministry of Health is urging people travelling to Pacific Islands to take extra measures to not get bitten by mosquitos after more than 200 cases of dengue fever since August.

Photo: 123RF

The ministry is posting videos and information on its website, Facebook and Twitter.

Director of public health Caroline McElnay said there were outbreaks of dengue fever in Samoa and Tonga.

"It does move around the Pacific so we really want to get just a general awareness that you just need to be careful and avoid being bitten."

The ministry's video tells people to apply insect repellant regularly when overseas and to sleep under a mosquito net.

Dr McElnay said if people returned from the Pacific with a fever, headache, or fatigued, they should see a doctor.