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Published On: Fri, Feb 28th, 2014

Zika virus outbreak in the Pacific update

The latest numbers for the Zika fever outbreak in the two, French, Pacific island territories were released today by the ECDC and here is the update:

 

New Caledonia Image/CIA

New Caledonia
Image/CIA

In French Polynesia, 61 new suspected cases were recorded during the last week bringing the number of suspected cases to 8,503. One additional case of Guillain-Barré syndrome has been reported since the last update. There have been 74 cases of neurological and auto-immune complications of which 41 cases were Guillain-Barré syndrome. The outbreak is declining in the majority of the islands.

In New Caledonia, an additional 73 autochthonous cases of Zika virus (ZIKAV) infection were reported during the last week. As of 26 February 2014, 140 confirmed cases have been reported, of which 32 are imported cases.

Norway’s Folkehelseinstituttet reported one case in a resident who traveled to Tahiti earlier this week.

On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an updated travel notice for New Caledonia.

Zika fever is an illness caused by a virus that spread through mosquito bites. It is closely related to dengue virus and causes a similar illness. Symptoms of Zika fever may include fever, headache, red eyes, rash, muscle aches, and joint pains. The illness is usually mild and lasts 4-7 days.

Travelers who go to certain places in Africa, Asia, and the Western Pacific are at risk of getting Zika virus. The mosquito that carries Zika virus can bite during the day and night, both indoors and outdoors, and often lives around buildings in urban areas.

There is currently no vaccine or medicine to prevent Zika fever. Travelers can protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites.
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About the Author

- Writer, Co-Founder and Executive Editor of The Global Dispatch. Robert has been covering news in the areas of health, world news and politics for a variety of online news sources. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of the website, Outbreak News Today and hosts the podcast, Outbreak News Interviews on iTunes, Stitcher and Spotify Robert is politically Independent and a born again Christian Follow @bactiman63

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  1. New Zealand health officials warn travelers of dengue risk in the Pacific - The Global Dispatch says:

    […] fever, with 11 deaths. Dengue has also emerged in French Polynesia, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Zika virus, which is similar to dengue, is widespread in French Polynesia, with cases also in New Caledonia […]

  2. Tahiti reports more cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome possibly linked to chikungunya | World Wide Outbreak says:

    […] the first part of the year, French Polynesia recorded more than 40 GBS cases linked to the outbreak of another mosquito borne viral disease, Zika […]

  3. Tahiti reports more cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome possibly linked to chikungunya | Outbreak News Today says:

    […] the first part of the year, French Polynesia recorded more than 40 GBS cases linked to the outbreak of another mosquito borne viral disease, Zika […]

  4. Samoa reports dengue case, health alert issued - The Global Dispatch says:

    […] to note that several Pacific islands are experiencing mosquito borne virus outbreaks to include New Caledonia, French Polynesia (Zika fever) and the Cook islands and Fiji (dengue), as Dr Naseri points […]

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