Pacific dengue fever outbreak

The story so far

Dengue fever cases in the Pacific have reached decade-high levels, and New Zealand health authorities have urged travellers to guard against mosquito bites and to buy insurance that covers medical evacuation.^{1 Aug 2025} Samoa has been hardest hit, reporting more than 2,000 cases and four deaths by early August, while Nauru has recorded two deaths.^{1 Aug 2025} Two children from one Samoan family died within days of each other in early August, the fifth death in Samoa's latest outbreak.^{5 Aug 2025} New Zealand doctors were told to watch for dengue symptoms as public health teams reported more people catching the illness overseas and returning home.^{5 Aug 2025} On 6 August New Zealand announced a small health team and $300,000 in medical supplies for Samoa, where more than 5,000 cases and at least five deaths have been recorded since April.^{6 Aug 2025}

Latest

New Zealand is sending a small health team and $300,000 of medical supplies to help Samoa with its outbreak.^{6 Aug 2025} Samoa has now reported more than 5,000 cases since the outbreak began in April, with at least five deaths.^{6 Aug 2025}

Key moments

1. 1 Aug 2025Dengue cases reach decade-high levels; travellers urged to take precautions.
2. 5 Aug 2025Two children from one Samoan family die, the fifth death in the outbreak.
3. 5 Aug 2025NZ doctors warned to watch for dengue as local cases rise.
4. 6 Aug 2025New Zealand sends health team and $300,000 in medical supplies to Samoa.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.