A dengue epidemic is emerging in the Leeward Islands and the Tuamotu-Gambier

Despite its small size, its sting wreaks havoc. The famous mosquito is the cause of a proven epidemic in the Windward Islands (276 cases in Tahiti and 41 in Moorea since November 2023). And the indicators also suggest a transition to the epidemic stage in the Leeward Islands and the Tuamotu-Gambier.

Some neighborhoods are invaded… So the residents fight as best they can. “When we have heavier rains, the cups fill up quite quickly. We throw everything away, we try to be careful. Afterwards, it’s not easy because there are water points around and it’s not our responsibility. But in our place of residence, we try to respect all health barriers to protect ourselves” testifies Soraya, resident of Faaa.

Health authorities are warning: in a single week, 54 new cases of dengue fever have been recorded in Polynesia. 22 people were sampled in Tahiti, 5 in Moorea, 5 in Bora, 3 in Huahine, 3 in Raiatea, 1 in Nuku Hiva, 10 in Rangiroa, 2 in Arutua, 1 in Makatea. A resident of another island visited Rimatara during its contagious phase.

During the holiday season, concern that the epidemic will spread to the islands grows. “We can imagine people, children in particular, returning to the islands during school holidays who may have been affected by dengue fever and do not yet know it (…). And a week later we may have cases that will occur on islands that had not been affected until now” explains Henri-Pierre Mallet, head of the health monitoring and health observation office at ARASS.

In total, since November 27, 2023, 474 cases of dengue have been confirmed. Among them, 38 people had to be hospitalized. “Dengue fever makes you very sick the first few days. It should start to feel better around the 5-6th day. But if things aren’t going well, you have to worry“, says Patrick Buffet, general practitioner. In his office, he has recorded seven cases of dengue this month alone.