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, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu.

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.

Before travelling in the Pacific, familiarise yourself with our advice for staying healthy on your trip. You should talk to your doctor about preventative measures against insect-borne illnesses like Dengue fever.

You can also read our advice about preventing mosquito-borne illnesses generally, and common infectious diseases you may encounter while travelling.

New Zealanders travelling in the Pacific should have comprehensive travel insurance policy in place that includes provision for medical evacuation by air.