New Caledonia Research Articles

How physical activity opportunities seized by adolescents differ between Europe and the Pacific Islands: the example of France and New Caledonia

Background France (FR) and New Caledonia (NC) are both French territories, one in Western Europe, the other as part of the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs). Despite schooling in similar educational systems, FR and NC adolescents develop distinct relationships with physical activity, which is influenced by the geographical-cultural and symbolic structures of their respective societies. This study explored the distribution of physical activity according to geographical culture and opportunity-temporal dimensions. Methods Participants were randomly selected, with individual (boys vs. girls), spatial (rural vs. urban), and geographical (FR vs. NC) stratifications. Accelerometers GT3X (ActiGraphTM, Pensacola FL, USA) and daily logbooks were used to measure the physical activity intensity and opportunities during the week. Results A total of 156 participants were included in this study. A significant effect was found in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) intensity with the geographical-cultural dimension; participants living in FR were more likely to engage in MVPA, especially in five opportunities: school, supervised leisure, home, school breaks, and transport. For both FR and NC adolescents, physical education lessons had the highest MVPA. Conclusion This study showed that MVPA differed in the same national educational system according to geographical culture. Physical education lessons could catch the challenge of an “opportunity education” (opportunities are defined as temporal invitations to engage in PA) by opening the door to two particular opportunities: supervised leisure and active transport.

Chagos in the South Pacific? The principle of self-determination and the France-Vanuatu dispute over the Matthew and Hunter Islands

Abstract The dispute over the Matthew and Hunter Islands (MHIs) has long been a constant strain on Vanuatu-French relations. The article examines this dispute in light of the Chagos Advisory Opinion and a few other cases concerning territorial disputes. It first submits that sovereignty over the MHIs had never been raised until 1962, when, at the occasion of a private claim, France and Britain, the two administering powers of the New Hebrides at that time, considered the issue. The two states reached an agreement in 1965, asserting that the MHIs were part of the French colony of New Caledonia and not the British-French Condominium of the New Hebrides. This article then considers the legal implications and lawfulness of the agreement, which did not take into account the local populations’ will. Although there are some important differences between the Chagos and MHIs disputes, mainly due to the fact that the MHIs are uninhabited, the applicability of the right of self-determination to both cases is nevertheless beyond doubt. The article contends therefore that the 1965 Agreement between France and Britain may constitute a violation of the right to self-determination of the people of the New Hebrides (Vanuatu), who were not consulted on the decision to attach the MHIs to the French territory of New Caledonia, and suggests that there may be, however, some other legal principles under international law that can come into play. Finally, the article contends that negotiated solutions could be a potential way forward for the parties involved.

Media fuss over stranded tourists, but Kanaks face existential struggle

Commentary: For two weeks in May 2024, protests by pro-independence indigenous Kanaks in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia erupted into a wave of rioting; erection of barricades; and burning of factories, shops and homes with the deaths of seven people – five Melanesians and two gendarmes. Since the late 1980s the Kanak independence movement had been consistently engaging with the 1988 Matignon then 1998 Nouméa Accords with Paris in an evolving process as part of their struggle for self-determination. The Nouméa Accord set out a framework for transferring power to the people of New Caledonia, through a series of three referenda. However, after France moved to unilaterally break with the Accords and declare independence as being off the table that the country returned to a state of unrest. This article recalls the influence of one of the leaders of the 1980s upheaval, Éloi Machoro.

An updated infrageneric classification of the pantropical species-rich genus Garcinia L. (Clusiaceae) and some insights into the systematics of New Caledonian species, based on molecular and morphological evidence.

Garcinia L. is a pantropically distributed genus comprised of at least 250 species of shrubs and trees and has centers of diversity located in Africa/Madagascar, Australasia, and Southeast Asia. The genus is notable due to its extreme diversity of floral form, common presence in lowland tropical rainforests worldwide, and potential pharmacological value. Across its entire geographic range, Garcinia lacks a recent taxonomic revision, with the last genus-level taxonomic treatment of Garcinia conducted over 40 years ago. In order to provide an evolutionary-based framework for a revised infrageneric classification of the genus and to investigate in more detail the systematics of New Caledonian species, we conducted molecular phylogenetic analyses using DNA sequence data for the nuclear ITS region on all samples, and for three chloroplast intergenic spacers (psbM-trnD, trnQ-rps16 and rps16-trnK) on a subset of our overall sampling. Our phylogenetic analyses are the most comprehensive to date for the genus, containing 111 biogeographically and morphologically diverse Garcinia species. The analyses support a broad circumscription of Garcinia, including several previously segregated genera (e.g. Allanblackia, Clusianthemum, Ochrocarpos p.p., Pentaphalangium, Rheedia, and Tripetalum). We recovered nine major clades falling within two major lineages, and we delimit 11 sections. We discuss each of the clades, assign them sectional names, discuss their distinguishing morphological features, compare our taxonomic treatment with the most recent sectional treatment, list representative species, note geographic distribution, and highlight some questions that deserve future investigations. We propose nine new nomenclatural combinations, four new names, and three new lectotypes. In New Caledonia (NC), a total of ten, all endemic, species are recognized and were included in our phylogenetic analyses, with several replicates per species (with the exception of G.virgata and G.urceolata, represented by a single accession each). New Caledonian species were retrieved within three separate clades, respectively including 1) G.balansae; 2) G.comptonii, G.neglecta, G.urceolata, G.virgata; and 3) G.amplexicaulis, G.densiflora, G.pedicellata, G.puat, G.vieillardii. Within NC, the phylogenies did not support the distinction between a putative undescribed species and G.balansae. However, it confirmed the distinction between NC species and both G.vitiensis (found in Fiji and Vanuatu) and G.adinantha (found in Fiji), suggesting that all NC species should be considered as endemics.

Seasonal Single-Site Sampling Reveals Large Diversity of Marine Algal Toxins in Coastal Waters and Shellfish of New Caledonia (Southwestern Pacific).

Algal toxins pose a serious threat to human and coastal ecosystem health, even if their potential impacts are poorly documented in New Caledonia (NC). In this survey, bivalves and seawater (concentrated through passive samplers) from bays surrounding Noumea, NC, collected during the warm and cold seasons were analyzed for algal toxins using a multi-toxin screening approach. Several groups of marine microalgal toxins were detected for the first time in NC. Okadaic acid (OA), azaspiracid-2 (AZA2), pectenotoxin-2 (PTX2), pinnatoxin-G (PnTX-G), and homo-yessotoxin (homo-YTX) were detected in seawater at higher levels during the summer. A more diversified toxin profile was found in shellfish with brevetoxin-3 (BTX3), gymnodimine-A (GYM-A), and 13-desmethyl spirolide-C (SPX1), being confirmed in addition to the five toxin groups also found in seawater. Diarrhetic and neurotoxic toxins did not exceed regulatory limits, but PnTX-G was present at up to the limit of the threshold recommended by the French Food Safety Authority (ANSES, 23 μg kg-1). In the present study, internationally regulated toxins of the AZA-, BTX-, and OA-groups by the Codex Alimentarius were detected in addition to five emerging toxin groups, indicating that algal toxins pose a potential risk for the consumers in NC or shellfish export.

Origins of old lineages in New Caledonia: A geologically informed test of the island‐hopping hypothesis

AbstractAimAlthough New Caledonia (NC) is now considered an oceanic island that emerged ca. 60 Ma, a few terrestrial clades are significantly older, raising the question of the origin of these groups. Classically, old lineages on more recent islands are hypothesized to originate through a process of hopping on now‐vanished islands (i.e., island‐hopping hypothesis) or other territories. We aim to test this hypothesis by studying a group of cockroaches with several lineages found in NC.LocationNew Caledonia, New Zealand, Australia.TaxonInsects: Blattodea.MethodsWe generated a dated phylogeny for blattid cockroaches (Blattidae and Tryonicidae) using Bayesian inference along with fossil calibrations. We reviewed studies on the palaeogeography of the Southwest Pacific region, including hypotheses about the existence of yet‐to‐be‐discovered past islands, and constructed biogeographical tests accordingly. We computed ancestral area estimation under different models in BioGeoBEARS (DEC, BAYAREALIKE, DIVALIKE, with or without +J) to test the role of an island‐hopping hypothesis in the establishment of NC blattid fauna.ResultsWe find divergence times older than 60 Ma for two NC clades. We show that these ‘old’ endemic lineages can partially be explained by indirect dispersal from Australia or New Zealand through now disappeared islands. Alternative hypotheses suggest multiple independent colonizations of NC from Antarctica or Australia.Main ConclusionsOur results indicate that island‐hopping may explain the presence of old groups in NC. The island‐hopping hypothesis is nonetheless only supported for a period‐area from which geological evidence is ambiguous. Our work highlights both the fruitful interactions between geology and biogeography and the underlying difficulties. The multiple colonization events inferred for NC provide additional insights into the composite nature of NC biota.

Scabies incidence and association with skin and soft tissue infection in Loyalty Islands Province, New Caledonia: A 15-year retrospective observational study using electronic health records.

BackgroundScabies and its complications are a public health problem in the low- and middle-income countries of the Western Pacific region. However, no data are available for the relatively wealthy French territory of New Caledonia. This study aimed to determine the incidence of scabies and its association with skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) in Loyalty Islands Province (LIP) (20,000 inhabitants), New Caledonia.Methodology/Principal findingsThis retrospective observational study reviewed cases of scabies and SSTI extracted from the electronic health record databases of LIP clinics for the period 2004–2018. Data were validated through double sampling. The overall scabies incidence rate (IR) and scabies IRs by sex and age group were calculated. Scabies seasonality was evaluated. For children <5 years, the presence of SSTI was compared between the 3-month period preceding scabies diagnosis/treatment and the 3-month period preceding the 1-year anniversary of scabies diagnosis/treatment (self-matching).A total of 16,843 scabies cases were extracted using a detection algorithm with a sensitivity of 96.7% and a specificity of 99.9%. From 2004 to 2018, the average overall scabies IR was 5.9% and the average scabies IR in children <1 year was 18.4%. Almost two-thirds of children aged 14 years had a history of scabies. Females were more affected, especially in the 20–39 age group (sex ratio>2). A strong seasonality was observed, with a 30% increase in winter. In children <5 years, SSTIs were 4.3 times more frequent in the 3 months preceding the scabies diagnosis than in the 3 months preceding the 1-year anniversary of scabies treatment (p<0.001).ConclusionsAlthough health care is much better in New Caledonia than in neighboring countries, scabies is highly endemic in LIP. The disease is especially common in children <2 years and is associated with many SSTIs in children <5 years. Mass drug administration should be considered.

Validation of the French version of COHIP-SF-19 among 12-years children in New Caledonia

BackgroundAssessment of oral health-related quality of life is now associated to clinical indicators in epidemiological studies. This study aimed at validating the French Short Form of the Child Oral Health Impact Profile (COHIP-SF-19) and assessing the impacts of oral diseases among schoolchildren in New Caledonia (NC).MethodsA sample of 12-years-old children (n = 971) was selected in 2019 in NC using a random, stratified, and clustered sampling technique. Children filled the French COHIP-SF-19 questionnaire. Information on sociodemographic characteristics, oral hygiene habits, perception of oral health problems were also collected through self-administered questionnaires or from the schools’ database. Dental status (dental caries, gingival status, and dental functional units) was clinically recorded at school by four calibrated examiners. Cronbach’s alpha and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated. Kruskal–Wallis tests and spearman correlations were used along with multilevel mixed models taking into account the cluster and examiner effects. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted and sensitivity analyses were performed.ResultsAmong the 693 children examined, 557 children were included. Oral diseases were frequent in the study population 40% had dental caries and 55% presented gingivitis. The COHIP scores ranged from 7 to 76 (57.9 ± 9.96) with 96.4% of the children having experienced oral health problems, 81.7% reporting functional impacts and 90.5% socio-emotional impacts. Overall, the French COHIP-SF-19 showed satisfactory psychometric characteristics. Internal consistency was high (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.80) and reproducibility excellent (ICC = 0.9). Discriminant and concurrent validity were adequate. Indeed, children with less optimal social situation, impaired dental status, declaring severe dental problems or difficulties in accessing oral health care showed lower COHIP-SF-19 scores. Factor analyses suggested a four-component structure with identification of a new domain (self -image) and changes in the repartition of the items within the original domains. Sensitivity analyses showed similar results for children with partial or complete answers in the COHIP questionnaire.ConclusionsThe French COHIP-SF-19 showed satisfactory psychometric characteristics and allowed to identify the high impacts of oral diseases in New Caledonian children, namely for socially deprived children.

Prevalence of Mycoplasma genitalium and other sexually transmitted pathogens in male urethritis in a sexual health centre in New Caledonia.

The prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is high in New Caledonia (NC), but there are no data on Mycoplasma genitalium (MG). However, the syndromic treatment of urethritis used in the territory includes a single dose of azithromycin, which could generate resistance in MG. We recruited 217 men referred to the Noumea public medical centre (CMP) with signs of urethritis and meeting the inclusion criteria from May 2016 to March 2018. Each was tested for Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) and for the first time in NC for MG by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The prevalence of MG was 10.1% (22/217). Azithromycin resistance of MG (mutation in the 23S rRNA gene) could only be assessed for 10 of the 22 strains. Only one (1/10; 10%) was resistant. The prevalence of other STIs tested was high, as CT, NG and/or TV were associated in 77.3% (17/22) of MG-positive cases. Although co-infections further justify syndromic management, the presence of MG in NC urethritis cases could call treatment guidelines into question.

The compensation arenas in south New Caledonia. Minescape, governmentality and politics

In the five last decades, the massive industrialization of mining extraction, through technological developments, the shift to more open-pit mining, and more recently automation, has reduced the amount of labour required by companies and led to the demise of the model of the company town. Since the 1990s, the internalization of environmental externalities under the pressure of environmentalist concerns has put neighbouring/affected communities and their allies at the centre stage. These combined trends have generated a shift from the social relations of production to the social relations of compensation as the core issue structuring conflicts and arrangements within mining arenas. In New Caledonia (NC), compensation has only recently entered the mining policy debate whereas the notion itself has long been discussed in the field of Melanesian social anthropology. Compensation has become a policy tool for dealing with the broader issue of mining environmental and social impacts. In New Caledonia, ideas and models of compensation have developed in a variety of ways, illustrating disconnections between how public institutions, mining companies and local populations deal with its conception, qualification and measurement. This contribution will explore the “compensation arena” in New Caledonia stressing the tension between governmentality and the practice of politics triggered by compensation policies, and its effects on the management of mining landscapes.

Assessment of fitness and vector competence of a New Caledonia wMel Aedes aegypti strain before field-release.

BackgroundBiological control programs involving Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti are currently deployed in different epidemiological settings. New Caledonia (NC) is an ideal location for the implementation and evaluation of such a strategy as the only proven vector for dengue virus (DENV) is Ae. aegypti and dengue outbreaks frequency and severity are increasing. We report the generation of a NC Wolbachia-infected Ae. aegypti strain and the results of experiments to assess the vector competence and fitness of this strain for future implementation as a disease control strategy in Noumea, NC.Methods/principal findingsThe NC Wolbachia strain (NC-wMel) was obtained by backcrossing Australian AUS-wMel females with New Caledonian Wild-Type (NC-WT) males. Blocking of DENV, chikungunya (CHIKV), and Zika (ZIKV) viruses were evaluated via mosquito oral feeding experiments and intrathoracic DENV challenge. Significant reduction in infection rates were observed for NC-wMel Ae. aegypti compared to WT Ae. aegypti. No transmission was observed for NC-wMel Ae. aegypti. Maternal transmission, cytoplasmic incompatibility, fertility, fecundity, wing length, and insecticide resistance were also assessed in laboratory experiments. Ae. aegypti NC-wMel showed complete cytoplasmic incompatibility and a strong maternal transmission. Ae. aegypti NC-wMel fitness seemed to be reduced compared to NC-WT Ae. aegypti and AUS-wMel Ae. aegypti regarding fertility and fecundity. However further experiments are required to assess it accurately.Conclusions/significanceOur results demonstrated that the NC-wMel Ae. aegypti strain is a strong inhibitor of DENV, CHIKV, and ZIKV infection and prevents transmission of infectious viral particles in mosquito saliva. Furthermore, our NC-wMel Ae. aegypti strain induces reproductive cytoplasmic incompatibility with minimal apparent fitness costs and high maternal transmission, supporting field-releases in Noumea, NC.

Prevention and control of highly antibiotic-resistant bacteria in a Pacific territory: Feedback from New Caledonia between 2004 and 2020

ObjectiveCarbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) and Enterococcus faecium resistant to vancomycin (VRE) constitute major threats to public health worldwide. The Pacific area is concerned and has implemented strategies to control antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, accurate epidemiological data are rarely reported. Our study aimed to present the strategies applied to prevent and control the spread of highly resistant bacteria in the Pacific territory of New Caledonia. Patients and methodsCohort prospective study of all cases of highly resistant bacteria (HRB) isolated in New Caledonia from September 2004 to December 2020. Evaluation of the impact of the infection control measures implemented in healthcare settings: screening strategy, cohorting unit, IT tools and control of antibiotic prescriptions. ResultsA total of 346 patients with HRB were identified. Most of them (63.0%) were infected or colonized by VRE (n=218) and 128 by CRE. While the number of CREs significantly increased from 2013 to 2020 (P<0.0001), control procedures have limited their dissemination. Most patients were colonized by IMP-4-CRE (n=124/128). The incidence density of VRE significantly decreased from 38.52 for 100,000 hospitalisation-days in 2015 to 4.19 for 100,000 hospitalisation-days in 2019 due to systematic screening of patients before sanitary repatriation from Australia and cohorting implementation. The risk of VRE diffusion is now well under control. ConclusionsOur study confirms that it is possible to control the spread of AMR in a circumscribed territory by means of a global control strategy involving screening, cohorting unit, IT tools and antibiotic prescription controls.

The Common Fruit-Piercing Moth in the Pacific Region: A Survey of the Current State of a Significant Worldwide Economic Pest, Eudocima phalonia (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), with a Focus on New Caledonia.

Simple SummaryFruit-piercing moths have long been cited as important pests in tropical and subtropical countries but genus as Eudocima, has recently gained in significance, and more specifically Eudocima phalonia (Linneaus). An overview of the current pest control proposed in the literature pointed the lack of sustainable integrated pest management. A synthesis of available data opens the research per-spectives that need to be encouraged in the ecological transition of our agricultural models.When referring to fruit-piercing moths, the genus Eudocima, and more specifically Eudocima phalonia (Linneaus), is cited as a worldwide crop pest. Damages associated with this pest are substantial on more than 100 fruit species, wherever it is encountered. In New Caledonia, the once occasional pest has become a serious threat to the current fruit arboriculture. Particularly devastating during outbreak periods, it has become an urgent need to find a suitable solution able to support farmers in the ecological transition of our agricultural models. This review proposes a synthesis of the existing data and publications on E. phalonia, worldwide and especially in New Caledonia, with recent observations. The assessment of this knowledge and the dynamics of the species in the territory of New Caledonia provide key information for a better prospect of adapted solutions.

Potential role of vector-mediated natural selection in dengue virus genotype/lineage replacements in two epidemiologically contrasted settings

ABSTRACT Dengue virus (DENV) evolutionary dynamics are characterized by frequent DENV genotype/lineage replacements, potentially associated with changes in disease severity and human immunity. New Caledonia (NC) and Cambodia, two contrasted epidemiological settings, respectively experienced a DENV-1 genotype IV to I replacement in 2012 and a DENV-1 genotype I lineage 3–4 replacement in 2005–2007, both followed by a massive dengue outbreak. However, their underlying evolutionary drivers have not been elucidated. Here, we tested the hypothesis that these genotype/lineage switches reflected a higher transmission fitness of the replacing DENV genotype/lineage in the mosquito vector using in vivo competition experiments. For this purpose, field-derived Aedes aegypti from NC and Cambodia were orally challenged with epidemiologically relevant pairs of four DENV-1 genotype I and IV strains from NC or four DENV-1 genotype I lineage 3 and 4 strains from Cambodia, respectively. The relative transmission fitness of each DENV-1 genotype/lineage was measured by quantitative RT–PCR for infection, dissemination, and transmission rates. Results showed a clear transmission fitness advantage of the replacing DENV-1 genotype I from NC within the vector. A similar but more subtle pattern was observed for the DENV-1 lineage 4 replacement in Cambodia. Our results support the hypothesis that vector-driven selection contributed to the DENV-1 genotype/lineage replacements in these two contrasted epidemiological settings, and reinforce the idea that natural selection taking place within the mosquito vector plays an important role in DENV short-term evolutionary dynamics.

The Japanese in New Caledonia

AbstractThis article explores the history of the Japanese in New Caledonia at the turn of the twentieth century before considering how the French Pacific empire ordered the incarceration and deportation of nearly all Japanese subjects in New Caledonia to Australian internment camps. Retracing this neglected history through testimonies of descendants of incarcerated Japanese, as well as through archived governmental reports, this study first examines the legal identity of mixed-race Japanese Melanesians (or Nippo-Kanaks) and that of other half-Japanese métis in New Caledonia and then analyzes how French administrators policed the Japanese emigrant population. This article additionally considers the family history of a second-generation Nippo-Kanak daughter who shares a rare perspective on the New Caledonian Japanese whom the French refrained from deporting.Cet article examine l'histoire des Japonais en Nouvelle-Calédonie au début du vingtième siècle avant de considérer comment les autorités de l'Océanie française ordonnèrent l'expulsion de presque tous les sujets japonais en Nouvelle-Calédonie et leur incarcération dans les camps d'internement australiens. Retraçant cette histoire négligée à travers les témoignages des descendants ainsi que des rapports de gouvernement archivés, cet article examine d'abord l'identité légale des métis japonais-mélanésiens, appelés « Nippo-Kanak », et celle d'autres métis japonais en Nouvelle-Calédonie avant d'analyser comment l'administration française maintint l'ordre parmi la population d'émigrants japonais. Cet article s'interroge également sur l'histoire familiale d'une fille nippo-kanak de la deuxième génération qui partage une perspective rare sur les Japonais de Nouvelle-Calédonie que les Français s'abstinrent d'expulser.

Seagrass-related carbonate ramp development at the front of a fan delta (Burdigalian, New Caledonia): Insights into mixed carbonate-siliciclastic environments

Past shallow-water carbonate environments of the main island of New Caledonia (NC) have been subject to high terrigenous influx derived from the erosion of ultramafic obducted nappes and are therefore a relevant case study for characterizing neritic carbonate production in mixed carbonate-siliciclastic systems under a tropical climate. More particularly, we focused on Burdigalian carbonate sedimentary records cropping out on the western coast of NC, in the Népoui area. Based on a comprehensive sedimentological study of cores and outcrops, we established a new depositional model of an alluvial fan to carbonate ramp transition. Shallow-water (euphotic) carbonate production was dominated by seagrass-related biota and corals derived from small-sized bioconstructions. Extensional tectonics and associated normal faulting, driven by post-obduction isostatic rebound, favored carbonate ramp aggradation and preservation. The carbonate ramp was incised by conglomerate-filled terminal distributary channels, which indicate that terrigenous inputs remained significant during marine transgression and did not inhibit the development of seagrass and scleractinian carbonate factories. Phytal substrates induced by seagrass and/or macro-algae seafloor colonization strongly controlled the nature of carbonate production and promoted the accumulation of foraminiferal-coralline algal sediments. Seagrass development at the front of the fan delta is interpreted to have controlled the preservation of a diverse and significant carbonate production by reducing water turbidity and by limiting the risk of suffocation for filter-feeding biota in such a high terrigenous influx setting.

Vector competence of Aedes aegypti from New Caledonia for the four recent circulating dengue virus serotypes.

In New Caledonia (NC), Aedes aegypti is the only proven vector of dengue virus (DENV), which is the most prevalent arbovirosis in NC. Since World War II, the four DENV serotypes have circulated regularly in NC. The epidemiological profile, however, has evolved over the last ten years, with the persistence of DENV-1 circulation and the co-circulation of several DENV serotypes. The current study evaluated the ability of Ae. aegypti from NC to transmit four DENV serotypes (and two DENV-1 genotypes) isolated during recent outbreaks in NC. An Ae. aegypti F1 generation was twice independently orally challenged with each DENV strain (107 FFU/ml). Infection, dissemination and transmission rates and transmission efficiency were measured at day 7 and 14 post-exposure, as well as the quantity of infectious virus particles. Mosquito infection was observed as early as 7 days post-infection. Infection rates between 18 and 58% were measured for all DENV serotypes/genotypes tested. Although dissemination rates ranged from 78 to 100%, transmission efficiencies were low, with values not exceeding 21% at 14 days post-infection for all DENV strains. This study shows that NC Ae. aegypti are moderately competent for DENV in laboratory conditions. In link with epidemiological data, these results suggest implication of other factors in the sustained circulation of DENV-1 in New Caledonia.

The geopolitical ecology of New Caledonia: territorial re-ordering, mining, and Indigenous economic development

In the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia, conflict and difference between Indigenous Kanak people and European settlers has existed at least since the 1850s. We interrogate the geopolitical ecology of these islands, which is deeply wedded to natural resource extraction, is instrumentalized in political debate, power struggles, conflict, and the mining sector. Territoriality, including changes to political borders and access to land, has promoted the interests of the key actors in shaping the future of the islands. Violence in the 1980s was followed by the Matignon Accords (1988) and three provinces were established (North, South, Loyalty Islands). The South Province is governed by a party loyal to France, and the others are in the hands of the Indigenous Kanak independence movement seeking full decolonization and independence. The strengthened regional autonomy that emerged from the creation of provinces has permitted the Kanak-dominated ones to control certain political competencies as well as to guide economic development much more strongly than in other settler states, notably through a large nickel mining project in the North Province. Provincialization has not diminished ethnic divisions as French interests hoped, as signaled by voting in the close-run but unsuccessful 2018 referendum on independence from France. We explore the ironies of these efforts at territorial re-ordering, which are layered on significant spatial and racial disparities. Re-bordering has enabled resurgence of Kanak power in ways unanticipated by the architects of the Accords, but without a guarantee of eventual success.Key Words: New Caledonia, geopolitical ecology, politics of mining, decolonization, Kanak identity

Where are the Adults? First Results of a Study on C. Mydas Foraging in New Caledonia

Where are the Adults? First Results of a Study on C. Mydas Foraging in New Caledonia

Dengue Severity Risk Factors in New Caledonia - Design of Predictive Tool Usable By Doctors during the First Consultation

Objectives: In New Caledonia (NC), Dengue circulation was detected every year since last decade. The 2017 epidemic have affected 4,379 people with 11.5% of hospital admission and 15 deaths. The aim of this work is to study the risk factors of severe dengue during the 2017 outbreak and to develop a predictive tool, based on a model, usable by doctors during the first consultation to early assess the risk for a dengue patient to progress to a severe form. Study design: This is a non-interventional retrospective study in which a cohort of hospitalized and non-hospitalized cases, positive for dengue virus infection by qRTPCR was documented. Methods: Patients were classified in severe or non-severe dengue. We explored the association of dengue severity to patients’ characteristics, symptoms at the first consultation, dengue serotype and previous Zika and dengue infection. A predictive model of the severity usable at first consultation was built using a multivariate analysis and a cross-validation procedure. Results: A total of 771 dengue cases were studied, with 134 patients who developed severe dengue fever. The dengue serotype does not appear to influence the severity of the infection, whereas, an anterior dengue seems to be significantly related to a severe form. We created two predictive models based on patient characteristics and clinical signs, one for and one for men because of the sex and age class interaction. For both models, the variables were: age, selfdeclared ethnicity, alert signs (mucosal bleedizg, clinical liquid accumulation, abdominal pain, lethargy or anxiety) and for women model added variables were arterial hypertension, platelet aggregation inhibitor and anticoagulants treatments. The average and median AUC values for both models are > 0.80 which shows a fairly good model quality; moreover high negative predictive values (> 95%) indicate that models are quite protective. Conclusion: This study described severity and risk factors for both hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients. The developed models can be used at the first consultation and doctors will be able to early assess the risk for dengue patient to progress to a severe form and increased surveillance with possible hospitalization.