{"id":275036,"date":"2026-02-09T09:21:07","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T09:21:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/275036\/"},"modified":"2026-02-09T09:21:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T09:21:07","slug":"cook-islands-reports-dengue-fever-related-death-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/275036\/","title":{"rendered":"Cook Islands Reports Dengue Fever-Related Death"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Radio<\/a>
\nMonday, 9 February 2026, 9:22 pm
Article: RNZ<\/a><\/p>\n

RNZ
\nPacific<\/a><\/p>\n

The Cook Islands has reported the
\nfirst dengue fever-related death of the current
\noutbreak.<\/p>\n

The health ministry said an elderly patient
\nwith underlying conditions died in hospital on 2
\nFebruary.<\/p>\n

Health authorities have launched
\nOperation-Namu-26, increasing block spraying on affected
\nislands.<\/p>\n

An incident management team was convened on
\n29 January following a significant increase in dengue cases
\non Rarotonga at the end of December, and again at the end of
\nJanuary 2026, as well as the detection of dengue cases on
\nAitutaki, Atiu, Mauke and Mangaia.<\/p>\n

Health secretary
\nBob Williams said the elderly patient presented late to
\nhospital.<\/p>\n

Williams encouraged everyone to seek urgent
\nmedical attention immediately if they experience flu-like
\nsymptoms, headache, joint or muscle pain, or rash, so that
\ntimely care can be provided.<\/p>\n

He said since the
\noutbreak was declared on 22 May 2025, a total of 40 dengue
\npatients had been admitted to hospital and, prior to this
\ncase, all had recovered.<\/p>\n

The Health Ministry said Cook
\nIslands Red Cross will work with it to distribute dengue
\nprevention packs to families with positive dengue cases on
\nboth Rarotonga and the Pa Enua.<\/p>\n

At the airport,
\nrepellent spraying stations have been established at the
\ninternational arrivals area and the domestic departures
\narea, and temperature screening for international arrivals
\nhas been intensified.<\/p>\n

Advertisement – scroll to continue reading<\/p>\n

A senior health protection
\nofficer told RNZ Pacific that New Zealand has reported 40
\nsuspected cases of dengue fever in visitors returning from
\nthe Cook Islands.<\/p>\n

Te Marae Ora said joint
\ncommunications by Cook Islands Tourism and Te Marae Ora have
\nbeen strengthened as the national response moves from
\ngeneral dengue awareness messaging to more visible and
\nproactive prevention activities for residents and
\nvisitors.<\/p>\n

“Messaging also re-emphasises that the Cook
\nIslands remains a safe destination for travellers,” the
\nministry said.<\/p>\n

The New Zealand government has warned
\ntravellers to be on alert for dengue fever<\/a> with cases on
\nthe rise in the Pacific.<\/p>\n

It advises travellers to
\ncountries where mosquito-borne illnesses are able to spread
\nto use insect repellent, wear protective clothing, and stay
\nin lodgings where there are mosquito screens on windows and
\ndoors.<\/p>\n

\n\u00a9 Scoop Media<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Radio<\/a><\/p>\n

New Zealand’s public broadcaster, providing comprehensive NZ news and current affairs, specialist audio features and documentaries.<\/p>\n

Radio New Zealand is a Crown entity established under the Radio New Zealand Act 1995. Radio New Zealand News are vital elements in our programming, providing impartial news and information to New Zealanders every day. Radio New Zealand (RNZ) provides listeners with exciting and independent radio programmes in accordance with the Radio New Zealand Charter.<\/p>\n

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