Latest news with #Misiafa
NZ Herald
3 days ago
- Health
- NZ Herald
Dengue fever outbreak: Samoa shuts down schools as cases surge, second child dies
Despite staunch efforts by his family to get him medical help, including being medically evacuated to New Zealand, he died in his parents' arms at Auckland's Starship children's hospital on April 13. More than 1700 confirmed cases Dengue fever, also known as break-bone fever, is a viral infection that spreads from mosquitoes to people and causes symptoms including sudden high fever, intensely sore joints and muscles, pain behind the eyes and a rash. Misiafa Nathaniel Lene, 12, died at Auckland's Starship Children's Hospital shortly after being medically evacuated from Samoa, after contracting dengue fever. Samoa declared a major dengue fever outbreak the week after Misiafa's death. Cases have continued to surge, however, with 1756 confirmed cases recorded between January to July 20 and an average of 100 new cases each week. 'Children and young people remain the most affected, with severe illness predominantly observed in those under the age of 15,' Ponifasio said. 'Hospitals - especially paediatric units - are under considerable strain; prompting the establishment of additional beds and temporary wards to manage the increased number of admissions.' Samoa's youngest Covid patient, a 1-year-old girl, is in a critical condition at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital in Apia. Photo / Dean Purcell The Samoa Observer newspaper described the paediatric unit at Moto'otua Hospital as 'packed' with children and worried families. Some of the more serious cases are being isolated, the publication reported. As part of the Ministry of Health's fumigation programmes in schools, government buildings and the National University of Samoa are also being sprayed as part of its preventative measures. Other parts of the Pacific have also declared dengue fever outbreaks over the last few months, including in the Cook Islands and Tonga. Tonga has reported three deaths and its most affected group are youngsters aged between 10 and 19. Influx of visitors ahead of national elections Church communities and villages in Samoa are being encouraged to hold clean-up efforts in a bid to keep mosquitoes away. The outbreak comes as the island nation is gearing up for national elections next month. As a result, an influx of Samoans from overseas - particularly from New Zealand and Australia - are expected to head back to the motherland to vote. No official new travel advisory has been released by New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Samoa. However, travellers are advised via the SafeTravel website that there are occasional outbreaks of dengue fever, zika, chikungunya and typhoid. 'Dengue cases have been reported in Samoa in the past,' the website reads. 'Before you travel, read our mosquito-borne illness information.' Vaimoana Mase is the Pasifika editor for the Herald's Talanoa section, sharing stories from the Pacific community. She won junior reporter of the year at the then Qantas Media Awards in 2010 and won the best opinion writing award at the 2023 Voyager Media Awards.
Economic Times
28-04-2025
- Health
- Economic Times
Dengue fever outbreak reported in Cook Islands; Samoa, Tonga, and Fiji already in viral infection's grip
Several Pacific island nations, including Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga, and Fiji, are facing a rise in dengue fever cases. A Samoan boy recently died in Auckland due to the viral infection. Cook Islands reported three new cases, prompting health advisories and calls for precautions against mosquito breeding. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Several Pacific island nations are reporting cases of dengue fever in the last few months with the Cook Islands being the latest to report the viral infection. Samoa, Tonga and Fiji have already seen a rise in dengue cases recently. A Samoan boy, too, had succumbed to the viral fever at a Auckland hospital a few days Islands has three dengue cases which follow the one infection which was reported in a person who had travelled from outside the advisories have been issued in all some of countries and authorities have urged the public to take all the precautions and ensure the Aedes aegypti, the carrier of dengue virus, does not find a breeding Islands Ministry of Health secretary Bob Williams stated that the dengue outbreak in the country does not require a declaration and the relevant steps as per the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines will be taken if there is a requirement to do so. Speaking in the capital Rarotonga, he added that none of the infected persons require country was plagued by a dengue outbreak in in 2019, which continued for almost two years before coming to an end in 2021. Williams pointed out that Cook Islands did not report any dengue cases since the last outbreak till can be fatal in some cases as seen in the case the 12-year-old Samoan boy Misiafa Nathaniel Fealofa'i Lene. who died at Auckland's Starship children's hospital. His distraught parents shared their feeling at his funeral ceremony and asked the people to maintain cleanliness and not allow mosquitoes to father Taito spoke about his son's passion for rugby as well as swimming and his relationship with his small sister Niulina, 6. With a choking voce Taito recalled his unfulfilled wish of speaking to Misiafa about the changes during the teenage mother Taunese also paid tribute by highlighting his helpful nature and how Misiafa was already to be with her side and was true to his other name Nathaniel, which means a blessing from God.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Dengue fever outbreak reported in Cook Islands; Samoa, Tonga, and Fiji already in viral infection's grip
Several Pacific island nations are reporting cases of dengue fever in the last few months with the Cook Islands being the latest to report the viral infection. Samoa, Tonga and Fiji have already seen a rise in dengue cases recently. A Samoan boy, too, had succumbed to the viral fever at a Auckland hospital a few days ago. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack India stares at a 'water bomb' threat as it freezes Indus Treaty India readies short, mid & long-term Indus River plans Shehbaz Sharif calls India's stand "worn-out narrative" Cook Islands has three dengue cases which follow the one infection which was reported in a person who had travelled from outside the country. Health advisories have been issued in all some of countries and authorities have urged the public to take all the precautions and ensure the Aedes aegypti, the carrier of dengue virus, does not find a breeding ground. 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by Cook Islands Ministry of Health secretary Bob Williams stated that the dengue outbreak in the country does not require a declaration and the relevant steps as per the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines will be taken if there is a requirement to do so. Speaking in the capital Rarotonga, he added that none of the infected persons require hospitalisation. The country was plagued by a dengue outbreak in in 2019, which continued for almost two years before coming to an end in 2021. Williams pointed out that Cook Islands did not report any dengue cases since the last outbreak till now. Live Events Dengue can be fatal in some cases as seen in the case the 12-year-old Samoan boy Misiafa Nathaniel Fealofa'i Lene. who died at Auckland's Starship children's hospital. His distraught parents shared their feeling at his funeral ceremony and asked the people to maintain cleanliness and not allow mosquitoes to breed. Misiafa's father Taito spoke about his son's passion for rugby as well as swimming and his relationship with his small sister Niulina, 6. With a choking voce Taito recalled his unfulfilled wish of speaking to Misiafa about the changes during the teenage years. His mother Taunese also paid tribute by highlighting his helpful nature and how Misiafa was already to be with her side and was true to his other name Nathaniel, which means a blessing from God.
NZ Herald
28-04-2025
- NZ Herald
Emotional scenes as funeral for boy, 12, who died of dengue fever held in Auckland
His parents shared their story with the Herald a few days later. At his funeral in Māngere, there were decorations of blue and white in the chapel. Family members wore blue T-shirts showing a smiling Misiafa and the poignant words: 'Forever 12'. His parents wore white, while mum Taunese donned an official scarf of the Auckland Blues – one of her son's favourite rugby teams. Dad Taito shared about his special relationship with his son, who loved rugby and swimming and was a proud big brother to his 6-year-old sister, Niulina. 'He was an active boy – big and strong. I saw how he was growing so quickly in the last few years; especially last year.' 'Forever 12′ Taito's voice broke as he revealed how he had been preparing to speak to his son about becoming a teenager soon. 'I spoke to his mum – that I wanted to speak to him about the changes in his body and his emotions,' Taito said. 'I wanted to prepare him for the next stage in his life, as a teenager – he was starting to grow a little moustache. But we never got the chance.' Mum Taunese paid tribute to a son she dubbed her right-hand man and whose life mirrored one of the names he was given – Nathaniel: A blessing from God. While they lived in Fiji for five years, before returning to Samoa last month, they often had family or friends who brought back snacks and treats from Samoa. Taunese described how her son would always pack those treats to share with his teachers and school friends. Whenever he saw a person begging for money outside a shop, he would ask his mother for something to give to them. 'That's how he was – loving,' she said. It has been a harrowing few months for the family, who were already dealing with a close family death – Taito's elderly father – early last month. Taunese's mother also died in November. The day before Misiafa became sick, on Sunday, April 13, the young family had travelled to Lalomanu for the weekend as a little getaway. They called those special family trips their family time. Misiafa's father said previously: 'On that Saturday, I went to swim with my kids. We had a good time. Then all of a sudden, he was sick – that's why it's really hard for us to take.' By the next Saturday, Misiafa had been medically evacuated to Auckland with his mum; his father and sister caught a commercial flight from Samoa to be with them. Despite an emergency operation to relieve pressure from his brain, the family had to make the heartbreaking decision to turn off life support. His mother said: 'When he started bleeding from his ears ... we didn't want him to suffer. It was very hard. 'They brought another bed next to him and we lay there with him, just listening to his heartbeat. His last heartbeat was around 6.30 that night.' Friends of the couple set up a Givealittle page to help raise funds for medical costs and now funeral expenses. Dengue fever in Samoa, Fiji, Tonga and Cook Islands A dengue fever outbreak in Samoa was officially declared after Misiafa's death – the only dengue-related death so far. Last week, health officials in the island nation said a total of 15 cases of dengue had been confirmed since January. Tonga and Fiji have also declared dengue fever outbreaks. This month a secondary student from Fiji's main island, Viti Levu, died from the disease. Authorities in the Cook Islands have today reported a further three cases of dengue there after one person was identified as having the virus this month. An outbreak, however, has not been declared at this stage. Misiafa's parents have urged parents – including those travelling to the islands – to take extra precautions and to use their son's death as a reminder. 'We don't want to see another family lose a child like we have this way. 'The pain is beyond anything – we don't want another family to go through what we are going through.'
