Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health and the Office of the Prime Minister have activated Operation Namu 2025, aiming to reduce and prevent any outbreak of dengue in the Cook Islands.

This comes after four recent dengue cases of both types 1 and 2 (DENV-1 and DENV-2) were detected in Rarotonga.

A total of eight dengue cases have been reported in the last four months; however, Te Marae Ora confirmed that this was not an outbreak.

Acting Secretary of Health, Dr Teariki Faireka, who is also the director of primary care, explained that an outbreak is defined as five or more positive cases within a 15-day period.

So far, within the 15-day period, there have been only four confirmed cases.

“We haven’t reached the threshold to declare an outbreak,” Dr Faireka said.

However, if there were to be an outbreak, Dr Faireka is confident the health ministry would be ready and able to handle the cases.

According to him, most of the cases “so far have been mild”.

“We did have a case which was a bit of a different scenario. It was a bit more difficult than the normal cases that we get. But I’m pretty confident that TMO will be able to handle any cases just like the previous outbreak,” Dr Faireka said.

“This is still at the beginning, so we don’t know how many cases we’re going to find going forward.”

Prime Minister Mark Brown said that the number of cases detected so far were “isolated cases”, adding that now was a good time to prepare and initiate Operation Namu to try and reduce the chance of this dengue fever spreading further.

According to Brown, at this stage, the virus has been isolated to Rarotonga and there has been no cases in the Pa Enua.

He is calling on the public to help eliminate the spread of dengue fever by destroying mosquito-breeding areas.

“Government now, in anticipation of any more cases coming up, is looking to mobilise Operation Namu, which will look to reduce the incidence of the spread of dengue fever,” Prime Minister Brown said.

“That means making sure that any areas containing water, any containers containing water are emptied out, that we do our bit to clean up around our homes, while the government will do its bit in terms of a spray programme and any other initiatives that it will look at to reduce the spread of dengue fever,” Brown said.

Operation Namu is an established initiative in the Cook Islands which aims to implement environmental measures to destroy mosquito breeding sites. 

PM Brown said: “Operation Namu will also extend to the Pa Enua and everybody is expected to do their part to make sure that we eliminate mosquito breeding areas, by making sure that we clean up around our yards and dispose of any containers that can hold water, which are the breeding sites.”

He added that there is no cause for alarm at this stage, but it’s an opportunity to take steps to prevent any further spread of dengue.

With cases rising in Tahiti, recently in Tonga, Samoa and Fiji, Dr Faireka has advised travellers to be careful. Those traveling to these countries are advised to carry mosquito repellent and urged to take extra precautions.

If an individual presents symptoms of a viral illness, they will be suspected of having a virus, and a blood test will be conducted to rule out dengue.

“When we do get identified cases, we then mobilise our public health team to go out and do perifocal spraying, which is spraying around the immediate area of those identified as positive readings for dengue,” Dr Faireka said.

“We have identified that we might have to have a mass clean-up, but we will release that as we decide how many days and when that will take place.”

TMO is asking public to keep their homes safe and mosquito free:

• Clean in and around your home
• Empty out anything that holds stagnant water
• Wear long sleeved clothing when outdoors wherever possible
• Use mosquito repellent
• Use mosquito netting over your bed if your bedroom is not air conditioned or screened

The common signs and symptoms of dengue include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle and joint pains
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Swollen glands
• Pain behind the eyes

If you experience one or more of these symptoms, please visit the outpatient clinic for a check-up.

Severe dengue symptoms include rash, mild bleeding in the nose or gums, and easy bruising. If left untreated, severe dengue can cause internal bleeding or even death.

If you have any concerns or questions, contact Public Health on phone +682 29110.