Brumbies Confirm Tuaina Taii Tualima Diagnosed with Dengue Fever Despite Taking Precautions

ACT Brumbies flanker Tuaina Taii Tualima has been diagnosed with dengue fever, which the club reports he contracted while in Fiji last month.

Tualima featured in the opening round of the Super Rugby Pacific against the Fijian Drua in Suva, where the Brumbies clinched a narrow 36-32 victory on February 15 at HFC Bank Stadium.

The 27-year-old, who hails from Auckland, came off the bench in the following round’s defeat to the Western Force in Canberra, but was subsequently omitted from the roster for the round three loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton last weekend.

“The team implemented all necessary precautions against mosquito-borne diseases; however, Tuaina Taii Tualima has unfortunately fallen ill with dengue fever,” the Brumbies stated in a release on Monday.

“The player has been diagnosed promptly and is under the care of the club doctor and an infectious diseases expert.”

According to NSW Health, there is currently no vaccine available to prevent the initial infection of dengue.

“The dengue virus can remain in the bloodstream of an individual bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus for three to fourteen days after the bite,” the health authorities reported.

“Individuals infected with dengue typically exhibit symptoms between three to fourteen days following the mosquito bite.”

“The fever generally persists for around six days.”

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While severe cases of dengue fever are uncommon, they can lead to serious complications, including plasma leakage, fluid accumulation, respiratory distress, severe bleeding, or organ failure.

Prior to this season, Tualima had played for the Queensland Reds and Melbourne Rebels before joining the Brumbies this year.

The Brumbies are currently in New Zealand, gearing up for their clash against reigning champions the Blues at Eden Park this Friday.