Health officials in French Polynesia are reporting (computer translated) the confirmation of several autochthonous cases of dengue type 2 dengue, unrelated and scattered over several communes in Tahiti.

Image/CDC

This has prompted health officials to declare an outbreak on Wednesday.

A major concern is that since dengue type 2 has not circulated in the country since the year 2000, the epidemic could be of great magnitude.

People under 20 or arriving in French Polynesia after 2000 are most at risk of becoming infected.

Beyond the vector control actions implemented by the Health Directorate (Center for Public Health and Sanitation) with the collaboration of the communes, everyone can be an actor to limit the magnitude of this epidemic by the actions following:

  1. To avoid being infected:
    • eliminate breeding sites around your home and workplace every week
    • protect yourself from mosquito bites (repellents, mosquito nets, diffusers …)
  2. If you have fever over 38 ° C, consult a doctor. This is even more important if you come from Tahiti and go to another island of French Polynesia, not affected by this virus.
  3. If you have dengue fever:
    • protect yourself from mosquito bites for 10 days
    • limit your movements, so as not to contaminate other geographical areas.

Subscribe to Outbreak News TV on YouTube