The upcoming Tutaka programme will proceed as planned without utilising any provisions of the new Public Health Act, says Te Marae Ora (TMO) health secretary Bob Williams.

The programme to be rolled out around the island, starting Monday next week, is an initiative to encourage the public to keep their environment clean and avoid any outbreak of dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and other environment diseases.

Williams said part of the Act is not exercised in this year’s Tutaka programme because: “The community efforts in the last three years have kept dengue under control.”

The Act that relates to the control of disease vectors, including mosquitoes, states that an authorised officer can enter premises and take any measures reasonably necessary to eradicate disease vectors. The regulations may impose requirements or standards to protect the public from a specified disease vector and the Secretary of Health may issue guidelines for persons to take so they do not create areas favourable for the breeding of mosquitoes and other disease vectors.

The Act also states that an owner or occupier of premises who does not keep the premises free from conditions or accumulations that might promote the breeding of mosquitoes or other disease vectors is in breach of the general duty. An authorised officer can enter premises other than a dwelling and take any action that is reasonably necessary to eradicate or control mosquitos or other disease vectors that present a risk to public health.

Williams says priority sections of the Act will take effect from September 1 but other parts are expected to be implemented next year.

Te Marae Ora is working with Crown Law Office and the World Health Organization (WHO) legal team to finalise the implementation plan of the Act.

“At the moment TMO is working with Crown Law and the WHO legal team to finalise the Implementation Plan. The Plan will set out the priority sections that will commence from 1 September 2024 and which parts will be delayed to next year 2025.”

Meanwhile, Te Marae Ora launched the half-year Penrhyn Tutaka Programme a few weeks ago which included a comprehensive village-wide clean-up and house-to-house inspections to ensure cleanliness and hygiene.

The programme aims to keep homes free of mosquitoes, vermin and breeding grounds for other pests.

Williams confirmed that there have been no dengue cases reported to date.

The last dengue outbreak in the Cook Islands occurred in the first half of 2021, during which 200 cases were recorded.