Dengue fever outbreak in the Pacific

Several Pacific Island countries are experiencing a rise in cases of dengue fever. Affected countries include Samoa, American Samoa, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu.  See our advice on dengue fever.

Samoa has been particularly affected, with more than 2000 cases reported since an outbreak was declared on 17 April 2025.

Dengue is a viral infection that spreads from mosquitos to people, and symptoms can include high fever, headaches, body aches, nausea, and rash. Some people develop severe dengue and need care in a hospital.

Hospitals are likely to be under significant pressure due to the outbreak and New Zealanders travelling in the Pacific should take this into consideration and have a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place that includes provision for medical evacuation by air.

Before travelling in the Pacific you should:

• familiarise yourself with our advice for staying healthy on your trip
• talk to your doctor about preventative measures against insect-borne illnesses like Dengue fever
• read our advice about preventing mosquito-borne illnesses generally, and common infectious diseases you may encounter while travelling.