Travellers warned as dengue fever outbreak grips popular holiday spot
Tourists heading to Samoa are being told to protect themselves after a dengue fever outbreak has gripped the nation.
Smartraveller has urged people heading to the Polynesian island to follow standard safety precautions and use insect repellent.
The tropics-associated illness is carried by certain species of mosquito. iStock
Safe Travel New Zealand found that from January 1 to June 11, the nation had more than 3500 confirmed Dengue cases with more than 150 hospitalisations and three deaths.
The tropics-associated illness is carried by certain species of mosquito.
Dengue fever is mostly imported into Australia by travellers – if a mosquito bites an infected person, that mosquito can become a carrier.
Outbreaks in Australia are largely confined to North Queensland.
Symptoms can include a sudden fever, a headache, chills, swollen glands, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and a faint, red rash.
The severity of the illness can range from mild to severe.
Most people with dengue fever recover in about a week, according to Health Direct, but other cases can require hospital care.
Samoa reportedly had more than 3500 confirmed Dengue cases with more than 150 hospitalisations and three deaths. Supplied
Occasionally, dengue fever has proven fatal.
Severe dengue fever symptoms may develop several days after the initial symptoms and include frequent vomiting, vomiting with blood in it, and unexpected bleeding.
People who have any dengue fever symptoms and are concerned for their health should contact their doctor.
Anybody feeling extremely unwell should contact Triple Zero in Australia or emergency health services overseas.
Most cases of the virus have been reported in a few locations including New Caledonia, the Cook Islands and Samoa.
New Caledonia remains the most affected location with the highest number of reported cases in 2026.
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