The number of registered dengue cases in New Caledonia this year has passed 200.
Despite efforts to contain the spread of the mosquito-borne disease, the number of cases has grown threefold in less than three weeks.
Most of the cases have been found in the Noumea area.
In late February the pre-epidemic status was upgraded and awareness campaigns were stepped up.
In 2003, as many as 20 people in New Caledonia died of dengue fever.