Former national ski champ Philippa Greig dies of suspected dengue fever in Mexico

Wednesday, 21 August 2019

Queenstown woman Philippa Greig, pictured in 2012, has died in Mexico.

A 36-year-old Queenstown woman who died in Mexico is thought to have contracted dengue fever.

Philippa Greig, known as Pip, died at the weekend.

It is understood family members travelled to Mexico and are awaiting final confirmation dengue fever caused Greig's death. The tropical virus is spread by mosquitos.

Greig was a former member of the New Zealand ski team and won the open women's title at the 2004 New Zealand Free Ski Nationals in the Skier X discipline.

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Longtime friend Steve Wilde said from the United States he talked to Greig a week ago. They had planned to meet up in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, next week.

Greig was house sitting near a popular seaside resort. Wilde said he understood her illness came on very quickly and she died on Saturday.

He was 'completely devastated'.

'She was feeling sick and it just got worse. When I was talking to her she was fine.'

Greig grew up in Queenstown and had managed Pinewood Lodge, which was owned and operated by her family, until last year.

In recent months Greig and other family members had travelled extensively. She had also spent time in Europe.

'She was just enjoying life,' Wilde said.

'For me she was just a kindred soul … You could talk to her about anything. She was a very loyal person and trustworthy. Caring and just real and genuine and such a great person.

'She also liked to have a great time. It's just so tragic.'

Her long term plan was to return to Queenstown, he said.

A total of 47 people were diagnosed with dengue fever in New Zealand in May and June after travelling overseas, an increase of 14 people compared to the same months last year, according to RNZ.

Of those 47 people, half had travelled to Fiji, while the remaining people travelled to Vietnam, Tuvalu, Tahiti, Malaysia, the Cook Islands and Indonesia.

According to the World Health Organisation dengue fever is a severe, flu-like illness that causes a high fever and symptoms include severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands or rash.

Dengue is carried by the Aedes mosquito, which is rare in New Zealand. While it rarely causes death, there is no cure or real treatment and sufferers can be bed-ridden for weeks.

Director of Public Health Carolyn McElnay told RNZ three Aedes mosquitos were intercepted at the border this year.

'There is a very real risk from mosquito-borne diseases to people travelling to countries with tropical climates,' she said.

'We know there is always a risk of dengue fever in the Pacific. These diseases can make you or your loved ones very sick.'

The best way to avoid dengue is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes altogether. The Aedes mosquito bit mainly during the day, mostly at dawn and dusk.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson confirmed they were aware of a case in Mexico involving the death of a New Zealander, and were providing consular assistance to the family.

For privacy reasons they were unable to comment further.