Mosquito-borne disease alerts: Samoa is seeing a dengue fever outbreak, and Australian travellers are being told to protect themselves by using insect repellent and wearing protective clothing to prevent mosquito bites. Regional health impact: Safe Travel New Zealand reports thousands of confirmed dengue cases across the Pacific since early 2026, with hundreds of hospitalisations and deaths, and notes there’s no vaccine to prevent first infection (but secondary infection can be prevented for eligible people). Cook Islands health research: A Cook Islands Māori PhD researcher at the University of Otago is exploring whether bathing in naturally warm lagoon waters could support heart health, aiming to blend medical outcomes with Pacific knowledge and community-led healing. Local environment & health links: Aitutaki’s Lagoon Management Plan is progressing through public consultation, with a focus on co-management, stronger enforcement, and cultural protections like ra’ui to safeguard the lagoon’s long-term health. Waste and health risk: Te Ipukarea Society argues incineration is not the answer for Cook Islands waste pressures, warning that small-island realities make it hard to run safely and effectively. Travel rules update: The Cook Islands is easing travel requirements, including switching to supervised rapid antigen tests for travellers from New Zealand and removing MIQ for unvaccinated Cook Islanders and permanent residents.