Te Marae Ora (TMO) Ministry of Health has confirmed a continued increase in dengue cases on Rarotonga and Pa Enua, with 81 positive and suspected cases recorded over the four-day period from 6 to 9 February.

On Rarotonga, 45 cases were confirmed between Friday and Monday, with 36 classified as probable cases. On February 6 alone, 37 new cases were recorded, 16 confirmed and 21 suspected. On February 7, 12 cases (7 confirmed, 5 suspected) were recorded, on February 8, 8 cases (3 confirmed, 5 suspected), and on February 9, 24 cases (19 confirmed, 5 suspected).

New figures for Tuesday 10 February show a further 17 confirmed cases on Rarotonga, seven confirmed and 10 probable. In Pa enua, two suspected cases were recorded in Aitutaki province, and two suspected cases each were reported in Mangaia and Mauke provinces.

The surge comes as the first dengue-related death was recorded in the Cook Islands. Health Secretary Bob Williams confirmed that a local elderly person with underlying health conditions died on February 2 after arriving late at hospital.

Since the dengue epidemic was first declared on May 22, 2025, 40 patients have been hospitalized and recovered. A total of 893 probable, confirmed, and suspected cases have been reported nationwide. Of these, 588 people have recovered, 32 are active cases, 273 are suspected cases, and one person has died.

In response, the TMO launched Operation Nam 26 on February 6, intensifying the national response. The coordinated campaign will include increased spraying, surveillance and an island-wide clean-up planned for tomorrow, Friday 13th February.

A key element of the strategy is peripheral focus dispersion. This is the targeted spraying of insecticides around the homes of confirmed and suspected cases to control mosquito populations and limit further spread. Spraying began last week and the second round is currently underway.

The dengue virus is transmitted from person to person by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Aedes aegypti can be identified by its striped legs and persistent bites during the day. Health authorities are urging residents and visitors to remove standing water around their homes to prevent mosquito breeding.

Rarotonga continues to experience widespread infection. Nikao has the highest number of infected people at 112, followed by Tupapa (96), Akaoa (83), Titicabeka (74), Luau (68), Murienua (65), Matabela (60), Gatangia (50), Tacvaine (46) and Lapa (43). 47 addresses are yet to be confirmed. In Pa enua, 94 cases have been reported, including 80 in Aitutaki, 36 in Mangaia, 29 in Atiu and four in Mauke.

Operation Namu 26 was launched during an incident management team meeting attended by parliamentarians, government agencies, Puna leaders, Pa Enua representatives, tourism operators and non-governmental organizations.

Civil servants are required to go to designated meeting points on Friday mornings to help clean up the village, and then return to tidy up their homes.

For Vaka Puaikura (all assemble at 7:30am): Luau – Luau meeting place (TMO leader Nelson Gaiolae, Puna leader Vaipo Mataora). Akaoa – Akaoa Meeting House (TMO leader Jeff Moekapiti, Puna representative Maria Tuolo). Murienua – Cabela Meeting House (TMO Reed Oilua Tini, Puna Reed Diana Ursin).

Matabela residents will assemble at the CICC Sunday School at 7:45 a.m., while Tupapa Maralenga will assemble at the Tupapa Meeting House and Ooa Clinic at 7:30 a.m.

Nikao and Panama will meet at the Panama Market at 7:30 a.m.

All public servants must register their names before they begin cleaning their homes or surroundings.

In Titicaveca, road spraying is scheduled from 3am to 6am, including back roads and access roads, using ULV spraying and mist blowers to target hedges and undergrowth.

MP and Puna Party leader Sonny Williams, who is a member of the Titikabeka Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Committee, and Takitum Volunteer Fire Brigade Chief Alistair McCauley spoke this week at a district meeting to finalize a major clean-up plan.