SPC closely monitors dengue outbreaks around the Pacific

The Secretariat of the Pacific Community is closely monitoring dengue outbreaks around the Pacific.

SPC says dengue type 2 is now in five Pacific countries which includes New Caledonia, Vanuatu, American Samoa, Fiji and French Polynesia.

The Ministry of Health had earlier revealed that there were 913 cases of Dengue Fever from January to April this year.

The Acting Deputy Director for SPC's Public Health Division Doctor Salanieta Saketa says Palau is one of the countries experiencing a surge in dengue victims with 290 cases recorded for the first six months of this year.

Doctor Saketa says the dengue type 2 seems to be the predominant one in the region and they think this is a concern as this particular type has not been in circulation in the Pacific for almost 20 years which means that a lot of people may not have immunity against type 2 dengue fever.