Daijiworld Media Network - Wellington
Wellington, Aug 6: New Zealand has extended its support to Samoa following a serious dengue fever outbreak that has claimed the lives of five children. In a statement on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced that a small clinical assistance team will be sent to the Samoan capital, Apia, to help local health authorities manage the crisis and assess further medical needs.
As part of its emergency response, the New Zealand government will also provide medical supplies worth 300,000 NZ dollars (approximately $177,978 USD). Senior public health officials from New Zealand are in contact with their Samoan counterparts to ensure a coordinated approach in tackling the outbreak.
New Zealand’s SafeTravel advisory has urged travellers heading to Samoa to take precautions against mosquito bites and to follow recommended dengue prevention guidelines.
The Samoan Ministry of Health first declared a dengue outbreak in April. Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, common in tropical and subtropical climates. While many infected individuals experience mild or no symptoms, those who do may suffer from high fever, headaches, body pain, nausea, and rashes. Although most recover within one to two weeks, some can develop severe, potentially fatal complications requiring hospitalization.
Currently, there is no specific cure for dengue, and treatment focuses on managing symptoms with pain relief medications. The best protection remains prevention—particularly avoiding mosquito bites during the daytime when dengue-carrying mosquitoes are most active.
Globally, dengue has seen a dramatic rise in recent decades. Reported cases jumped from just over 500,000 in 2000 to more than 5.2 million by 2019, according to the World Health Organization. Experts believe the actual number of cases is significantly higher due to under-reporting and frequent misdiagnosis as other febrile illnesses.
New Zealand’s support underscores the close ties between the two Pacific nations and highlights the importance of regional cooperation in addressing public health emergencies.