Epidemic and emerging disease alerts in the Pacific as of 17 December 2024

Attachments

Highlights/updates since the last map was sent on PacNet on 10 December 2024:

Dengue

• French Polynesia: In EpiWeek 49, 53 new dengue cases were reported, including residents of Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Maupiti, Raiatea, Ua Pou and. The total number of reported cases is 453 (422 confirmed cases and 31 probable cases) since November 27, 2023. An upward trend in incidence has been observed in the Windward Islands, the Leeward Islands, and the Tuamotus, with the positivity rate increasing over the past month, reaching approximately 58% in EpiWeek 49. Four individuals required hospitalisation in EpiWeek 49, but no severe cases or deaths have been reported since the outbreak began. Additionally, a case of maternal-fetal transmission was reported in a newborn. Since late July, DENV-1 has become the predominant serotype (77% of the samples serotyped) with co-circulation of DENV-2 (23% of the samples serotyped). The blue alert for DENV-1 and DENV-2 is maintained. – Source: Bulletin de surveillance sanitaire de Polynésie française n°48 - 2024 shared with PPHSN Coordinating Body focal point on 17 December 2024.

Pertussis / Whooping cough

• French Polynesia: Between 14 June and 08 December, 465 confirmed pertussis cases were reported. In EpiWeek 49, 27 new cases were recorded, all from Tahiti and Raiatea. Pertussis continues to circulate actively in Tahiti, in the Leeward Islands and on some islands of the Tuamotu. Two hospitalisations were reported in infants under 6 months old. A downward trend in overall incidence and positivity rate has been observed in EpiWeek 49. The largest proportion of cases is in the 10–19-years age group (28%), while infants under 1 year account for 11.4%. The red alert is maintained. – Source: Bulletin de surveillance sanitaire de Polynésie française n°48 - 2024 shared with PPHSN Coordinating Body focal point on 17 December 2024.
• New Caledonia: As of 13 December 2024, 135 cases of pertussis have been reported since April 2024, out of 974 samples tested. In October and November, 35 cases per month were reported. Since the 1st of December, 18 new cases have been reported, with the most recent case dated 11 December 2024*.* The blue alert is maintained. – Sources: Coqueluche | Direction des Affaires Sanitaires et Sociales de Nouvelle-Calédonie accessed on 17 December 2024.
• New Zealand: In EpiWeek 49, weekly pertussis cases (including confirmed, probable, and suspected cases) increased to 161 from 157 in EpiWeek 48. In its latest report, the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) noted that from November 9 to December 6, 2024, New Zealand reported 487 pertussis cases, reflecting a significant increase compared to the previous four-week period. Infants under one-year-old remain the most affected group, with the majority of hospitalised infants having not received all age-appropriate vaccine doses. The red alert is maintained. – Sources: Pertussis dashboard and Pertussis report 09 November–06 December 2024 accessed on 17 December 2024.
• Samoa: As of 08 December, a total of 109 pertussis cases (14 confirmed and 95 suspected) have been reported by Samoa's Ministry of Health since September. The majority of cases (45%) occurred in infants under one-year-old. Since September 2024, 54% of cases were hospitalised. Most of the cases are from Upolu Island. Samoa's national pertussis vaccination coverage from January to October 2024 shows high rates for early doses (100% at 6 weeks, 95% at 10 weeks, and 86% at 14 weeks), but drops to 65% for the booster dose at 15 months. The red alert is maintained. – Source: Ministry of Health – Pertussis Surveillance Situation Report N°2 (EpiWeek 49: 2 – 8 December 2024) shared on PacNet on 16 December 2024.

Other Information:

Influenza-like illness, Influenza and other respiratory infections

• France: As of December 11, 2024, Santé Publique France, reported a significant increase in respiratory infections and flu activity. The weekly acute respiratory infections bulletin details all age groups are affected across multiple regions in epidemic or pre-epidemic phases. Bronchiolitis cases are rising, with epidemics reported in 12 regions in mainland France and overseas territories. COVID-19 remains stable at low levels, though wastewater indicators show an upward trend. – Source: Infections respiratoires aiguës (grippe, bronchiolite, COVID-19). Bulletin du 11 décembre 2024. accessed on 17 December 2024.
• Hawai’i: As of December 13, 2024, Hawaiʻi Department of Health reported the first influenza-associated death of a child under 18 years this flu season. Respiratory disease activity is rising in Hawaiʻi, with flu, RSV, and COVID-19 levels varying but generally increasing as the holiday season approaches. – Source: News Releases from Department of Health | FIRST HAWAIʻI PEDIATRIC INFLUENZA-ASSOCIATED DEATH OF THE 2024-2025 SEASON RECORDED accessed on 17 December 2024
• United Kingdom: As of December 12, 2024, the UK Health Security Agency reported a sharp rise in flu positivity to 17.1%, alongside increasing hospitalisation rates. Vaccine uptake remains below the levels, leading experts to urge eligible groups to get their flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. – Source: Public urged to get flu vaccine as hospitalisation rates rise steeply - GOV.UK accessed on 17 December 2024..

Pertussis / Whooping cough

• Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia: As of December 17, 2024, the Department of Health Services of Kosrae State released a health advisory on their Risk Communication & Community Engagement Facebook page after a case tested positive for Bordetella pertussis. This marks the second confirmed case in 2024. In response, the Kosrae Department of Health Services is urging everyone to practice precautionary measures. – Source: Health Advisory – Department of Health Services Kosrae State accessed on 17 December 2024.