Dengue outbreak declared in the Cook Islands
Te Marae Ora (TMO) - Ministry of Health has officially declared a dengue fever outbreak in Rarotonga on 22 May 2025, following confirmation of two new cases since 19 May. As of 22 May 2025, a total of 7 locally acquired dengue cases have been reported in the past 18 days reaching the outbreak threshold.
Te Marae Ora reassures our community and visitors that all confirmed Dengue Fever cases remain limited to Rarotonga, and that there are no cases in the Pa Enua.
Eleven (11) isolated cases since February 2025- Tupapa recording the highest number of dengue cases, five out of eleven cases. Local transmission is confirmed.
The serotypes that are responsible for this current outbreak are Dengue Virus Type 1 (DENV-1) and Dengue Virus Type 2 (DENV-2).
To stop the spread of dengue, the Government has activated Operation Namu25. This response includes:
Community clean-up across Rarotonga on last week.
Vector control and spraying around areas with confirmed cases
Coordination with Pa Enua Island Governments to stay dengue-free.
Island councils, Puna leads EMCI, and government agencies are working together to support this national effort. Pa Enua communities are also preparing their own local response.