8 Oct 2014

Chikungunya declining in Tokelau

4:56 pm on 8 October 2014

The Director of Health in Tokelau says over 200 people have had chikungunya since August but the peak of the outbreak is over now with no new cases in the past few days.

Dr Silivia Tavite says health clinics on all three atolls have seen people with the mosquito borne illness but everyone has recovered.

She says there is no longer a state of emergency; and education, surveillance and mosquito eradication has been effective.

Tokelau Flag

Tokelau Flag Photo: SUPPLIED

"We have also uplifted our border control approaches for Tokelau which include spraying of incoming boats and screening of incoming outgoing passengers. We have got laboratory confirmation of chikungunya to be positive in all three communities, however the outbreak is under control now."

Dr Tavite says anyone with a high fever, joint pain, severe headache and vomiting or a skin rash, should seek medical care.