There has been a sharp increase in the number of people in French Polynesia contracting dengue type 2.
The Asian tiger mosquito is one of the vectors responsible for transmitting dengue fever. Photo: SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
According to authorities more than 200 cases have been recorded in the past two weeks, bringing the number of sufferers to 582.
Almost all new cases concern people under the age of 20.
So far 13 people have been taken to hospital.
An epidemic has been declared in Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora and Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas while seven more islands are on alert.
Dengue type 2 was introduced in February by a traveller from New Caledonia which last week announced the epidemic there was over.