Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said the outbreak had placed strain on the nation's health system, depleting resources and overwhelming staff.

New Zealand will send a doctor and a nurse for two weeks as part of an Australian-led medical team.

"There are almost 1700 suspected cases of dengue fever - 1200 of those in Honiara - and three reported deaths," said Mr McCully.

Dengue fever is a serious viral disease spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes.

 

Source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz