New Caledonia flu alert raised to red

The Department of Health and Social Affairs (Direction des Affaires Sanitaires et Sociales, DASS) of the Government of New Caledonia has issued an alert for an influenza epidemic, effective from 17 January 2025. At present, an active circulation of respiratory viruses has been recorded, resulting in increased pressure on hospital services and general practitioners. In the last three weeks since the previous update, the alert level has increased with the addition of a star for influenza in the country. The National Surveillance Unit of Vanuatu recorded 504 influenza cases on the island of Efate, where the flu-like epidemic is also ongoing, with an increase in reported cases. As of 12 January 2025, 85 additional cases were recorded to be above the alert threshold. Most of these cases were reported in Ohlen, Mele, and Bladiniere, with more than 25 cases registered in each area. No deaths have been reported. The red alert for influenza A is maintained in French Polynesia, where 53 new cases of influenza were confirmed (50 of type A and 3 of type B) out of 150 test results sent, with a significant increase in the positivity rate (35% compared to 22% the previous week). Among these 53 cases, 21 hospitalisations have been documented. No deaths have been reported since the beginning of the epidemic.