Transcript
DR SALANIETA SAKETA: So one of the things that we do is provide public health professionals with information regarding outbreaks that are occurring including dengue fever in the region and that is circulated every week on PACNET which is our email communication platform. In regard to dengue, currently there are six countries that are affected with dengue fever according to our epidemics intelligence information. And that is New Caledonia for dengue with types 1, 2 and 3; Vanuatu for type 2; Palau for dengue 2 as you alluded to; American Samoa dengue type 2, Fiji dengue type 2 and French Polynesia dengue type 1, so six countries in all are currently being affected.
SARA VUI-TALITU: Well type two seems quite prevalent at the moment?
SS: The dengue type two seems to be the predominant one that's circulating in the region and we think this is a concern because this particular serotype has not been in circulation in the Pacific for almost 20 years, which means that a lot of people may not have immunity against this serotype and so a lot of people are susceptible and can be infected.
SV: So this could be the case in terms of Palau?
SS: Yes, as I said, if the Palau population have not been exposed to this particular dengue serotype, then yeah its more likely that more people would be susceptible and can be infected.
SV: Are there any differences between the symptoms with the different serotypes of dengue?
SS: Not really. There are the signs and symptoms that are similar for all serotypes except, as I said, if a population has not been exposed to a particular serotype and so they have not built up immunity against it and often in those situations we would also see a much more serious form of dengue which is also what we are seeing among kids which is dengue serotype 2, who haven’t built up immunity against serotype 2, then we could see more serious types resulting in bleeding or even death.
SV: So what measures can people take particularly in small island states?
SS: One of things apart from being able to determine information early so that countries can be helped to prepare and that is the intent that when we provide out information that countries who aren't exposed would take measures to prepare prevent or even limit their severity if it does get introduced into the country. And so one of the things we often provide as part of the advice is to ask countries to make sure that they address the factors particularly for mosquitoes that they control mosquito populations in their country and also when travelling, just making sure that people who come into the country are all well and also generally just making sure their surveillance systems within a country are working to be able to pick up anyone coming in with dengue early and control the early spread within the country itself.
SV: So dengue is not the only one you are monitoring?
SS: We are very much concerned that surveillance for dengue and other diseases like zika, mumps and others, is a regional health security issue and so often we are often using various ways to gather information so not only through routine surveillance systems through countries but also through other means.
SV:Is there a cure yet?
SS: No, there is no cure for dengue and so mainly it is treatment or management of dengue which is symptomatic although there's a vaccine now available but there are two countries who have now licensed the use of the vaccine but there is no country in the region that has introduced the vaccine.
