NOUMÉA, New Caledonia (25 June 2008) — The outbreak of mosquito-transmitted dengue fever in New Caledonia has so far affected over 900 persons in the French Pacific territory since the beginning of this year. Latest official statistics published locally by the health and social affairs department reveal a staggering 912 known cases since January 1, 2008. The health department told local media the figures were still rising at a pace of one to two new cases per day, even though the humid season was theoretically over. But abundant rains have continued to affect New Caledonia in recent weeks and local temperatures have also been labeled warmer than usual. The fresh statistics also come despite an intensive prevention and eradication campaign launched several months ago. The main worry was that when the hot and humid season comes back, some time in September, the existing situation might constitute a fertile ground for a fresh and even more intense epidemic, local health authorities feared. The current epidemic, which is mainly centered on the capital Nouméa and its suburbs, has however not caused so far any death this year. The worst dengue epidemic in New Caledonia dates back to 2003, when 19 persons died. But public health programs head Anne Pfannstiel said there was an urgency to contain the existing situation. The main advice remained focused on urging individuals to see their doctor when suffering any symptom that could be easily mistaken for influenza. Dengue fever has been prevalent in New Caledonia since February this year. The hemorrhagic, mosquito-transmitted dengue epidemic has been affecting the capital Nouméa and its suburbs, but also the north-eastern island if Lifou (Loyalty island group) and on the Isle of Pines, South of the capital Nouméa. | | Tourists considering a holiday in New Caledonia are being warned about a dengue fever epidemic there. Prevention campaigns have intensified in the past few weeks and local health services have urged the population to take heed of such simple recommendations as cleaning any potential breeding site for the Aedes Aegypti mosquito (the vector of the disease) larvae. In the capital Nouméa, municipal teams, from the health and hygiene departments, have been given special powers to intervene and clean up ill-maintained private compounds where still waters are found in discarded tyres and other types of containers. Those items are regarded as ideal breeding sites for mosquitoes and their larvae. Municipal teams are also deployed, especially at dusk, to spray insecticides in accordance with a WHO-recommended protocol. |
