Pacific Region: Latest Updates on Epidemics and Emerging Diseases – August 20, 2024

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Pacific Region: Latest Updates on Epidemics and Emerging Diseases – August 20, 2024
Pacific Region: Latest COVID-19 Cases | Healthcare 360 Magazine
(Source-reliefweb.int)

COVID-19 Cases
Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI)
The Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI) reported a significant decrease in COVID-19 cases for Epidemiological Week 32. The number of cases fell from 31 in the previous week to 19, marking a 57% drop. There were two hospitalizations recorded during this period. The blue alert for COVID-19 remains in effect as the situation is monitored. – Source: CNMI Weekly Surveillance Report 2024 – EPI Week 32, shared with PPHSN focal point on August 15, 2024.

Hawai’i
In Hawai’i, from August 6 to 12, there were 573 new COVID-19 cases reported. The average test positivity rate decreased from 11.7% to 11%, with an average of 88 daily cases across the state. Hospitalizations averaged 72 per day from August 8 to 14, with six patients in the ICU. A retrospective review revealed 22 additional COVID-19 cases related deaths from late June through July. The Department of Health’s Respiratory Disease Dashboard indicates that COVID-19 activity is at a medium level with a decreasing trend. The blue alert is maintained. – Source: Disease Outbreak Control Division | COVID-19 | State of Hawai’i – Department of Health (hawaii.gov), accessed on August 20, 2024.

Dengue Fever Reports
French Polynesia
In French Polynesia, EpiWeek 32 saw the confirmation of five new dengue cases from 27 samples tested. This included three residents from Tahiti, one from Nuku-Hiva, and a tourist who visited Fakarava and Tahiti during the contagious period. As of August 13, EpiWeek 33, two new cases were reported in Ua-Huka, Marquesas Islands, marking the first cases on this island. The total number of dengue cases reported since November 27, 2023, stands at 115, including 105 confirmed and 10 probable cases. DENV-2 was identified in 70% of the 82 serotyped samples. No new hospitalizations were reported in EpiWeek 32. The alert phase remains blue, indicating ongoing active dengue circulation in Tahiti and Nuku-Hiva. – Source: Bulletin de surveillance sanitaire de Polynésie française n°32 -2024, shared with PPHSN focal point on August 20, 2024.

Samoa
The Government of Samoa declared the end of the dengue outbreak that began on April 22, 2024, as of August 16. The outbreak, which affected 496 individuals with no reported deaths, is now under control. The most impacted age group was 20 to 29 years old, with the North-West of Upolu and Apia Urban Area being the hardest hit. The blue alert has been removed. – Source: Government of Samoa, Dengue Fever Outbreak Over – August 16, 2024, accessed on August 20, 2024 and Samoa Ministry of Health Dengue Fever Outbreak Situation Report #24, EpiWeek 33, shared with PPHSN focal point on August 20, 2024.

Pertussis Update
French Polynesia
From June 14 to August 13, French Polynesia reported 37 confirmed cases of pertussis, all residing in Tahiti. Among these cases, 11 were infants aged 6 months or younger, and three were aged 7 to 12 months. Five children required hospitalization, including three infants aged 3 months or younger. A peak of 15 cases was recorded in week 33. Due to the increased number of cases, a red alert for pertussis has been issued. – Source: Bulletin de surveillance sanitaire de Polynésie française n°32 -2024, shared with PPHSN focal point on August 20, 2024.

Mpox Update
Public Health Emergency of International Concern
As of August 14, 2024, the Director-General of the World Health Organization declared the ongoing mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern about COVID-19 cases. This declaration follows the emergence of a highly transmissible and more deadly Clade 1b virus, predominantly affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring African countries. The virus is now spreading through both sexual and non-sexual contact, leading to high mortality rates, particularly among children. Clade 1b has also reached previously unaffected countries such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, with the first case outside Africa detected in Sweden. The circulation of Clade 2 continues with sporadic cases reported globally. Enhanced surveillance, systematic contact tracing, and frequent virus typing are crucial to manage this evolving outbreak.