People seeking asylum on Nauru contract Dengue fever amid severe outbreak

Dengue cases have surged among the people seeking asylum Australia has transferred to Nauru through its offshore detention regime, many of whom have pre-existing health conditions. 

Amid an outbreak of dengue fever on Nauru, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre is demanding the Australian Government act immediately to protect the lives of the people seeking asylum it exiled there, by bringing them to safety and processing their claims in Australia.

The organisation’s Detention Rights Advocacy program is aware of at least 9 people seeking asylum who have contracted dengue fever, and has fears for their safety due to the fragility of the Nauru health system. 

One man has already been medevaced due to critical illness, but was returned to Nauru earlier this week – despite the increased risk to life that is presented by repeated dengue infections. Severe cases of dengue can lead to death. 

“The health system on Nauru is already fragile and easily overwhelmed – it will struggle to cope with this outbreak,” said Heidi Abdel-Raouf, the manager of the ASRC’s Detention Rights Advocacy Program. “Australia has a clear responsibility for the refugees our government has banished there.”

There are just under 100 people seeking asylum on Nauru, who have been transferred there under Australia’s offshore processing regime, which was found by the UN Human Rights committee earlier this year to be a violation of human rights. 

The people seeking asylum are surviving on a stipend of $230 a fortnight, and are unable to afford or access mosquito nets and repellant to protect themselves. 

“A recent ASRC Health report revealed shocking statistics on Nauru, with 65% reporting that they’re experiencing physical health conditions, and a high number suffering severe mental health conditions.” said Abdul-Raouf, “this means that the illness that they have with dengue is just compounding.”

Spokesperson available for interview: 

Jana Favero, Deputy CEO of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.

Media enquiries
For media interviews, please contact Jana Favero at media@asrc.org.au or 0402 651 002.