World: Epidemic and emerging disease alerts in the Pacific as of 07 April 2026

Executive Summary

Countries: World, Australia, Bangladesh, Japan, Kiribati, New Caledonia (France), New Zealand, Singapore Source: Pacific Community Please refer to the attached Map. Highlights/updates since the last map was sent on PacNet on 31 March 2026: Dengue New Caledonia: As of 02 April 2026, dengue transmission in New Caledonia continues, with 580 cumulative cases reported since 1 January 2026. Weekly case counts have increased steadily since February, with particularly high notifications during epidemiological weeks 11–13, indicating sustained community transmission. The epidemic phase remains ongoing, with transmission predominantly affecting areas outside Grand Nouméa, while transmission within Grand Nouméa (Dumbéa, Mont‑Dore, Nouméa and Païta) remains comparatively lower, consistent with protective effect of Wolbachia mosquitoes supported by World Mosquito Program. DENV‑1 continues to be the predominant circulating serotype. The red alert for DENV-1 remains in effect. – Sources: Alerte DASS Dengue_20260325 shared with PPHSN Coordinating Body Focal point on 26 March 2026 & La dengue | Direction des Affaires Sanitaires et Sociales de Nouvelle-Calédonie accessed on 07 April 2026. Measles Australia: Measles activity in Australia continues in 2026, with transmission largely driven by imported cases and associated secondary transmission reported across multiple states, including New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. National surveillance data indicate that most cases occur among unvaccinated or under‑vaccinated individuals, particularly adults aged 20–49 years, and are frequently linked to recent overseas travel, consistent with patterns observed throughout 2025 and 2026. As of early 2026, 85 measles cases have been reported nationally, with public health authorities continuing to issue exposure alerts, undertake intensive contact tracing, and emphasise the importance of up‑to‑date measles vaccination, especially prior to travel and for under‑immunised populations, amid declining childhood vaccination coverage. The red alert for measles in Australia remains in effect. – Sources: Australian Centre for Disease Control and National Communicable Diseases Surveillance Dashboard accessed on 07 April 2026. Pertussis/Whooping cough New Zealand: Pertussis activity in New Zealand continues as part of the ongoing national epidemic, with weekly notifications remaining stable. As of the week ending 27 March 2026, 20 cases were reported, compared with 18 cases in the previous week ending 20 March. This brings the cumulative number of pertussis cases reported in 2026 to 512. The blue alert for pertussis remains in effect. – Source: Pertussis dashboard accessed on 07 April 2026. Rotavirus Kiribati: As of 02 April 2026, the rotavirus outbreak in Kiribati remains ongoing, with 5,422 cumulative diarrhoea cases reported, up from 5,350 cases as of 26 March. Surveillance data indicate that the outbreak has passed its peak. Cases increased rapidly from late February, peaked in early March, and have declined steadily since mid‑March, with only low numbers reported by the end of March. Transmission continues to disproportionately affect South Tarawa, particularly Betio, which accounts for the largest share of reported cases. Children under five years of age remain the most affected, with 56 hospitalisations reported to date, and three confirmed deaths and two suspected deaths currently under investigation. Health authorities continue enhanced surveillance, laboratory confirmation, health promotion, and community‑level hygiene interventions, while closely monitoring trends. The red alert for Rotavirus remains in effect***.** – Source: Rotavirus Outbreak Situational Report 15 shared with PPHSN Coordinating Body Focal point on 02 April 2026.* Other Information: Influenza-Like Illness Kiribati: As of 02 April 2026, Kiribati has reported a cumulative total of 876 influenza‑like illness (ILI) cases, an increase from 552 cases reported as of 25 March, with transmission continuing to be concentrated in South Tarawa, particularly Betio. The epidemic curve shows a rapid rise in cases from mid‑March, peaking around 19–20 March, followed by a short decline and a secondary, smaller increase between 25 and 30 March, before declining again in recent days, suggesting a possible downward trend. The median age of cases remains four years (range: 1 month to 89 years), cases are evenly distributed by sex, and one ILI‑associated death remains under investigation. Laboratory testing has confirmed six influenza B infections to date. Health authorities continue to strengthen surveillance, risk communication and community awareness activities while closely monitoring trends. – Source: ILI Outbreak Situational Report 4 shared with PPHSN Coordinating Body Focal point on 02 April 2026. Measles Bangladesh: Bangladesh is responding to a significant measles resurgence with the launch of an emergency measles–rubella vaccination campaign beginning on 05 April 2026, led by the Government with support from UNICEF, WHO and Gavi, targeting more than 1.2 million children aged 6 months to 5 years across 30 high‑risk upazilas in 18 districts, with phased expansion to city corporations and nationwide scale‑up planned from May. The campaign prioritises children who missed routine immunisation and those most vulnerable to severe disease, particularly in densely populated and high‑risk settings such as Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar and aims to rapidly close immunity gaps driving the outbreak. According to non‑official media reports, Bangladesh has recorded thousands of suspected measles cases and multiple child deaths in recent weeks, with transmission reported across a large proportion of districts, underscoring the urgency of intensified vaccination, surveillance and community engagement activities. UNICEF and partners have warned that without rapid scale‑up of vaccination and response measures, transmission is likely to continue expanding, placing further strain on health services and increasing the risk of severe outcomes among children. – Sources: Bangladesh launches emergency measles-rubella campaign with UNICEF, WHO and Gavi, Bangladesh measles outbreak spreads | Reuters, Bangladesh measles outbreak RNZ News accessed on 07 April 2026. Japan: Measles activity has increased in Japan in early 2026, despite the country having maintained measles elimination status since 2015, with the cumulative number of reported cases reaching 152 as of 22 March 2026, the highest level recorded for this period since 2020. National surveillance data for epidemiological weeks 1–10 indicate a recent upward trend, with cases reported from multiple prefectures, including Tokyo, Aichi, Kanagawa, Niigata and Osaka, and a substantial proportion linked to imported infections and subsequent domestic transmission. In response, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has strengthened risk communication, urging healthcare providers, overseas travellers and the public to ensure up‑to‑date measles–rubella vaccination, verify vaccination history, and seek medical advice promptly if symptoms develop, while avoiding public transport where possible to reduce onward transmission. Health authorities have cautioned that ongoing international measles activity and increased population movement, including mass‑gathering events scheduled in 2026, may continue to pose a risk of sporadic outbreaks triggered by imported cases. – Sources: April 3 Ministerial press conference|Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, IDWR No. 10 Measles - National Institute for Health Crisis Management Infectious Disease Information accessed on 07 April 2026. Mpox Singapore: On 02 April 2026, Singapore confirmed two cases of locally transmitted mpox clade Ib infection, both involving adult males who are assessed to have been infected through intimate physical contact. Both cases are in stable condition and have been placed on home isolation pending further clinical review. Investigations and contact tracing are ongoing, with close contacts advised to monitor their health and high‑risk contacts recommended post‑exposure vaccination. Health authorities have assessed the risk to the general public as low. Vaccination remains available on a self‑paid basis for groups at higher risk of exposure, alongside continued public health messaging on risk reduction, early healthcare seeking, and travel‑related precautions. – Source: Communicable Diseases Agency accessed on 07 April 2026.