Tuaina Taii Tualima, a 27-year-old flanker with the Australian Super League side ACT Brumbies, has been diagnosed with dengue fever. The mosquito-borne disease was contracted during a team trip to Fiji in February, where Tualima made his debut for the club against Fijian Drua.

However, Tualima was unable to participate in the second game of the tour after falling ill. The Brumbies announced that the affected player has been diagnosed early and is receiving medical input from the team doctor and an infectious disease specialist.

Dengue fever is transmitted by infected mosquitos, and the Fijian government had announced an outbreak of the disease in early February, with over 200 cases recorded at the time. While most people recover from dengue fever within seven to 14 days, it can be deadly in rare cases.

The club has not announced an expected return date for Tualima, who joined the ACT Brumbies from Melbourne Rebels in 2024. Formerly of Queensland Reds, Tualima's diagnosis serves as a reminder of the risks associated with traveling to areas with high incidences of mosquito-borne diseases.