The Cook Islands has officially regained its dengue-free status after going 26 days without a recorded dengue case, the Ministry of Health announced Monday.
Secretary of Health Bob Williams confirmed that the Cook Islands was declared dengue free on 25 May 2026, following the last positive dengue case recorded on 28 April 2026.
The Ministry said the 26-day period represented “just over two incubation periods with no reported case which meets the international standard to declare the outbreak being eliminated and the Cook Islands once again regaining its dengue free status”.
The announcement comes more than a year after the outbreak was first declared on 22 May 2025 and the launch of Operation Namu25.
Te Marae Ora said monitoring continued after Operation Namu26 was stood down on 24 April 2026 when the outbreak was brought under control.
“From the 29 April to 24 May 2026, there has been no recorded cases,” the statement said.
Health Minister Vainetutai Rose Toki Brown, the Cook Islands Government and Te Marae Ora thanked communities, government agencies and partners for their role in controlling the outbreak.
The statement extended “congratulatory appreciation to the people of the Cook Islands, Members of Parliaments, all government ministries and agencies, the Pa Enua Island Governments, NGO’s, private sector organisations, the tourism industry, and in particular all the Puna on Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Atiu, Mauke and Mangaia”.
Te Marae Ora also acknowledged the support of the Cook Islands Red Cross Society, Tourism Cook Islands, Ministry of Agriculture, Infrastructure Cook Islands, Environment Services, Emergency Management Cook Islands, the Office of the Public Service Commissioner and the Ministry of Finance.
The Ministry said the country’s success reflected “the Cook Islands spirit of cooperation that as one people, and together as a nation that we have successfully regained our dengue free Cook Islands status”.
Health officials also recognised the work of the Incident Management Team, which was activated on 23 April 2025.
“After a year of dedication and commitment with a clear objective to bring the outbreak under control and to eliminate, is the collective outcome we celebrate today,” the statement said.
The Cook Islands recorded a total of 1,251 dengue cases during the outbreak, including 1,250 recoveries and one dengue-related death.
Te Marae Ora said surveillance would continue and urged the public to keep homes, businesses and vacant land free of mosquito breeding areas.
“The normal Tutaka Programme for the remainder of the year will supplement the monitoring process of our dengue free status,” the statement said.
