Epidemic and emerging disease alerts in the Pacific as of 10 November 2026 – World

Highlights/updates since the last map was sent on PacNet on 03 November 2026:

Dengue

• Marshall Islands: The 18th Outbreak Situation Report covering 15 August to 02 November 2026, records 171 positive cases (confirmed and probable) among 582 specimens tested: Majuro 128 and Ebeye 43, against 127 and 40 in the 17th Outbreak Situation report covering 15 August to 29 October 2026. There have been 15 hospitalisations and no deaths since the beginning of the outbreak, and no patient is currently admitted. Attack rates are 5.5 per 1,000 population in Majuro and 4.4 per 1,000 in Ebeye, while positivity rates are 28% and 36%, respectively. Cases are still being reported at a low, steady rate. Only DENV-1 has been identified. The red alert for dengue (DENV-1) remains in effect. – Source: Republic of the Marshall Islands Ministry of Health and Human Services, 17th and 18th Outbreak Situation Reports on dengue fever in Majuro and Ebeye shared with the PPHSN Coordinating Body Focal point on 07 November 2026.

• Samoa: Dengue Fever Outbreak Situation Report Issue No. 80, covering EpiWeek 43 (19 to 25 October 2026), reports 30 new cases, down 43% on the previous week, with two laboratory-confirmed cases, the first since EpiWeek 40, two new admissions and no death. Since 1st January 2025, there has been 20,510 clinically diagnosed cases, 5,549 laboratory-confirmed cases and nine dengue-related deaths that have been recorded. DENV-1 accounts for 52% and DENV-2 for 48% of serotyped cases, and children under 15 years for 73% of cases. The blue alert for dengue (DENV-1 & DENV-2) remains in effect. – Source: Ministry of Health Samoa, Dengue Fever Outbreak Situation Report Issue No. 80 shared with the PPHSN Coordinating Body Focal point on 04 November 2026.

Measles

• Papua New Guinea: The National Department of Health weekly bulletin for EpiWeek 44 (26 October to 1st November 2026) reports 11 acute fever and rash cases nationally, down from 31 in EpiWeek 43 (revised from 26). Year to date, 464 cases have been reported and 406 samples tested, with 19 IgM-positive measles results. After Expert Review Group review, two measles cases (New Ireland 1, Western Highlands 1) and two rubella cases are confirmed in 2026. The last IgM-positive measles onset was on 15 September 2026 and the last rubella onset on 29 September 2026. The measles-rubella vaccination campaign targets all children under seven in districts with a detected case. The red alert for measles is changed to a blue alert for Papua New Guinea. – Source: Papua New Guinea National Department of Health, Public Health Events Weekly Bulletin shared with the PPHSN Coordinating Body Focal point on 08 November 2026.

Respiratory diseases

• French Polynesia: In EpiWeek 44 (26 October to 1st November 2026), French Polynesia remained in an influenza epidemic phase, with 94 laboratory-confirmed cases, mainly influenza A and predominantly subtype H1N1. A total of 32 hospitalisations and three deaths are reported. Viral circulation is currently detected in Tahiti, Raiatea, the Marquesas and the Tuamotu. Since the start of the epidemic phase, the health surveillance office no longer processes nasopharyngeal samples taken for PCR detection of respiratory pathogens for surveillance purposes. The red alert for influenza A remains in effect for French Polynesia. – Source: Agence de régulation de l’action sanitaire et sociale (ARASS), Bulletin de Surveillance Sanitaire de Polynésie française n°39 shared with the PPHSN Coordinating Body Focal point on 10 November 2026.

• Vanuatu: On 03 November 2026, the Ministry of Health reported that an influenza A outbreak has been officially declared on Tanna Island, Tafea Province, following increased influenza-like illness activity and laboratory-confirmed influenza A cases. A total of 163 influenza-like illness cases were reported on Tanna. From EpiWeek 39 to 43, clinically diagnosed influenza cases fluctuated but increased overall, exceeding the alert threshold in EpiWeeks 40, 41 and 43. Of 28 samples tested, 11 were positive for influenza A. Two severe cases were reported, with no hospital admission so far. A provincial health emergency operations centre is coordinating the response. In Shefa Province, the Shefa Community Health Service has issued a health alert stating that influenza remains present on Efate Island and calling for the protection of vulnerable people: children, pregnant women, the elderly, people with disabilities and people with non-communicable diseases. The red alert for influenza A remains in effect for Vanuatu. – Sources: Vanuatu Ministry of Health, official statement on Facebook and Shefa Community Health Service, Shefa Health Alert on Facebook accessed on 10 November 2026.

• Wallis and Futuna: On 06 November 2026, the Agence de Santé de Wallis et Futuna declared an influenza epidemic. To avoid overloading the emergency department, opening hours of the Hahake dispensary only are extended from 07 to 11 November 2026 inclusive. The Agency case definition for influenza includes sudden onset of fever of 38°C or above, chills, fatigue, cough or sore throat. No case count or influenza type has been reported. A grey alert for influenza-like illness is issued for Wallis and Futuna. – Source: Agence de Santé de Wallis et Futuna, press release of 06 November 2026 on Facebook accessed on 10 November 2026.

Other Information:

Dengue

• Hawai’i: On 04 November 2026, the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health reported a new travel-related dengue case on Oʻahu, in a person exposed while travelling in a region where dengue is common, bringing to 11 the dengue cases recorded in Hawaiʻi in 2026. Ten of the 11 cases involved travel to Pacific Island countries and territories and one to another dengue-endemic area outside the Pacific. The Department is carrying out inspections and mosquito control, and the risk of local transmission is expected to be low. – Source: Hawaiʻi Department of Health, DOH reports 11th travel-related dengue virus case of 2026, accessed on 10 November 2026.

Leptospirosis

• Australia: On 05 November 2026, the Northern Territory Centre for Disease Control issued a health alert reporting 11 leptospirosis cases in the Northern Territory in 2026, against an average of 10 a year. Four cases have required intensive care, and one death has been reported. Areas associated with cases include Fogg Dam and Harrison Dam, Oenpelli, the Arnhem Land wetlands, Finniss River and Tipperary Station, as well as rural Darwin and the Katherine district around water and flooding events. – Sources: Northern Territory Centre for Disease Control, health alert on leptospirosis and BEACON, Fatal case of leptospirosis after hunting near a billabong in Northern Territory, Australia, amid rising 2026 caseload accessed on 10 November 2026.

Pertussis/Whooping cough

• New Zealand: Twenty-one Auckland schools and early childhood centres reported pertussis cases in the past month, up from four such settings in September, with 37 cases in Auckland over the past three weeks. Health New Zealand states that the situation is not at epidemic or outbreak level and that public health teams are monitoring it closely. Case numbers are very low elsewhere in New Zealand. Nationally, 1,537 cases have been notified in 2026 as of 30 October 2026. – Sources: Pertussis dashboard and BEACON, Twenty-one schools and childcare centers in Auckland, New Zealand report pertussis cases within weeks of school holidays ending accessed on 10 November 2026.