31 Mar 2017

First dengue case in Futuna

9:15 am on 31 March 2017

The first case of dengue has been detected on the French Pacific island of Futuna.

The public broadcaster says a teenager brought the virus from New Caledonia where an epidemic has been declared.

The infected patient is in hospital in Kaleveleve while health authorities have launched a campaign to prevent the spread of the disease.

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A teenager is said have the first case of dengue on Futuna Photo: 123RF

The patient's home is being sprayed while staff at the clinic rely on insect repellent.

The authorities point out that the virus can only be transmitted by a mosquito.

The outbreak in Wallis and Futuna follows spikes in several Pacific countries and territories.