Fiji Travel Vaccinations

Mosquito-borne disease is common in Fiji. It is more likely to be an issue during the wet season (November to April). Dengue fever causes the greatest concern. It is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito which is widely found in the Pacific. This mosquito is an active feeder during the day with peak biting times early morning and late afternoon. It is also responsible for Chikungunya and Zika. Fiji experienced two outbreaks of Chikungunya in 2015. It followed an explosive outbreak in French Polynesia in 2014 where over 65,000 cases were notified. Seroprevalence for immunity to Chikungunya was investigated in Fiji in 2017 and found to be very low compared to the levels found in Tahiti. This might be explained by cross protection from recent exposure to the Ross River Fever virus which is also endemic to Fiji. It remains to be seen whether this is long lasting.

There have been 98 reported mosquito-borne viral outbreaks in Pacific Island countries and territories between 2012 and 2023. Seventy two percent have been due to dengue, 15 per cent Chikungunya and 12 per cent Zika.

Filariasis is a parasitic disease transmitted by the Culex mosquito. Prevalence has been greatly reduced, but not eliminated, in Fiji by mass drug administration in cycles.

Climate change may have a major impact on the prevalence of mosquito-borne disease in the Pacific.  Warmer water temperatures may increase the population of mosquitos during the transmission period.

There is no malaria in Fiji. Malaria requires the Anopheles mosquito to transmit the disease. There are none in Fiji.