Climate change implicated in dengue fever outbreaks in Pacific islands

Outbreaks of deadly dengue fever in Pacific island nations almost every year are probably partly down to climate change, according to a travel doctor.

New Zealand travellers are being warned to take precautions when going to affected areas amid a surge of dengue fever in the Pacific this year, and a “type 2” strain that hasn't been seen in 20 years.

The symptoms of aching joints, headaches and fever are the same, but the absence of the strain until recently means many people haven't developed immunity to it.

Eleven people have died in New Caledonia this year from the mosquito-borne disease and more than 4000 others have been affected.As well as New Caledonia, which more than 9000 Kiwis visit each year, the dengue strain is also in Vanuatu, Fiji, American Samoa and Palau.

“It is almost every year now. And I think that's probably because of this so-called climate change, and when we see the fact that coupled with that there's a great traveller population,” said Dr Marc Shaw of Worldwise Travellers Health.

Director General of Pacific Community (SPC)Dr Colin Tukuitonga says there's normally one strain of dengue fever circulating, “but now we have two - both type one and type two - so it's a concern for us in the region without a doubt”.

Over the first six months of this year 71 New Zealanders were reported as contracting dengue overseas, mostly after travelling to the Pacific.

Travellers are being warned to take precautions when going to affected areas.

While dengue isn't spread in New Zealand, over the first six months of this year 71 New Zealanders were reported as contracting dengue overseas, mostly after travelling to the Pacific.

And since April seven zika cases have been reported in New Zealand, all originating from Fiji. 

Zika, also caught from mosquitos, has been linked to microcephaly where a baby is born with a small head.

Dr Shaw says the two hours either side of dusk or dawn is the time of mosquito biting, so travellers should be extremely vigilant at having good mosquito prevention at those times. He recommends light coloured clothes as the mosquitos are attracted to dark colours.

While not currently used in the Pacific, a dengue vaccine is on the horizon.

Until then, prevention is the key, with mosquitos being sprayed in parts of the Pacific.