Ministry of Health secretary Bob Williams has confirmed three new dengue cases in the Cook Islands. With one imported infection detected earlier this month in Rarotonga, there are now four confirmed dengue cases in the Pacific nation. Williams hinted that health authorities could soon officially declare an outbreak according to World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. He added that key government agencies are developing a response plan and will apply it after the declaration. The Health Protection team at Public Health already has an active vector unit that conducts regular monitoring of the local mosquito population and maintains a regular spraying programme. According to Cook Islands News, airport authorities have been informed by the Health Ministry about the confirmed dengue cases and advised to be vigilant and take preventive measures. The Ministry has also urged the public to keep homes mosquito-free, emptying anything that contains stagnant water, using mosquito repellents, and applying mosquito netting over beds.
The last dengue outbreak in the Cook Islands was in 2019 and lasted for two years. According to WHO guidelines, an outbreak is officially declared when there is a significant rise in cases and confirmation of the dengue virus through laboratory testing. Williams said that the detection of the imported cases already triggered health protocols for positive dengue cases, with monitoring of the infected individuals and their contacts and perifocal spraying to reduce the number of adult mosquitoes.
