Archives 2020

This morning, at 0800 Fiji time, WHO’s Director General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, on advisement of the International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee on the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) over the global outbreak of novel coronavirus. He summarised the recommendations for the prevention of the spread of 2019-nCoV and ensuring a measured and evidenced – based response, in seven key areas:

1. No reason for measures that unnecessarily interfere with travel and trade.
2. We must support countries with weaker health systems.
3. Accelerate the development of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics
4. Combat the spread of rumours and misinformation
5. Review preparedness plans, identify gaps and evaluate the resources needed to identify, isolate and care for cases and prevent transmission
6. Share data, knowledge and experience with WHO in the world
7. The only way we will defeat this outbreak is for all countries to work together in a spirit of solidarity and cooperation.

Dr Tedros commended the work and commitment China had shown in its response to the virus and called on all countries to work together, saying, “ We are all in this together and we can only stop it together. This is the time for facts, not fear. This is the time for science not rumours. This is the time for solidarity, not stigma.”

The Government of Fiji is closely monitoring the developments surrounding the 2019-nCoV that is now present in eighteen countries with no deaths outside of China. At present there are no cases of 2019-nCov in Fiji and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services can confirm that the travellers who were under quarantine as a precaution have tested negative for 2019-nCoV and have been cleared.

The Ministry is working closely with relevant border control agencies to implement further enhanced health screenings and treatment guidelines to detect and manage ill passengers traveling to Fiji on direct or connecting flights from affected areas, especially Hubei Province, China, in a concerted effort to rapidly contain the virus. In his statement this morning, WHO DG reiterated “WHO does not recommend limiting trade or movement and calls on all countries to implement decisions that are evidence based and consistent”.

A supplementary health card will shortly be given to all inbound travellers to complete before being allowed into the country. Based on the information they provide in the card, travellers will be advised on what procedures to follow, in addition to taking with them pertinent information on 2019-nCoV and what they can do if they become ill, in the form of a tear-off section.

Entry screening is part of a layered approach used with other public health measures already in place to detect arriving travellers who are sick (such as detection and reporting of ill travellers by airlines and vessels during travel and referral of ill travellers arriving at a port of entry) to slow and reduce the spread of any disease into Fiji.

Fiji is actively monitoring this situation for relevant information from WHO and other credible sources about the outbreak as it evolves.

What can you do?

Whilst we await further information about this new disease, at this time the Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services wishes to remind the public that staying calm and continuing to practice good hygiene is important in helping to protect them against many diseases.

This includes:

• Frequently cleaning hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water;
• When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – throw tissue away immediately and wash hands;
• Avoid close contact with anyone who has fever and cough;
• Avoid non-essential travel to mainland China
• If you have been to China in the last 14 days and develop any of the symptoms (fever, cough or difficulty breathing), immediately contact one of the numbers listed below. If you need to see a doctor please call ahead, using the following phone numbers, before visiting to reduce the risk of infecting other patients.

Central 2219905  Eastern 2219906  Western 2219907  Northern 2219908

The Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services is monitoring the developing situation and will provide updates regularly to the public.

-ENDS-

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For more information on Government events and decisions log onto the official Government portal at www.fiji.gov.fj

                                                                                              Date: 28/01/2020

 ‘Rapid public health detection and response systems the best protection against novel coronavirus’

 The Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services is closely monitoring the current outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019 – nCoV) in China and is continuing its efforts to prepare for its potential introduction to Fiji. At present there are no confirmed cases of 2019 – nCoV in Fiji, or any other Pacific island country.

What is Fiji doing?

In response to the increased threat of 2019 – nCoV, the Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services is working closely with relevant Government ministries, World Health Organization and partners to enhance its public health systems to rapidly detect, test and respond if a case is identified in Fiji.  This is because international spread of the disease is best stopped by rapid containment efforts at the source, and early detection and response, not by implementing unnecessary restrictions to international travel. Travel bans have been proven to be ineffective in stopping infectious diseases crossing borders, and may in fact worsen the impact of an outbreak. Fiji did not impose travel bans during the SARS epidemic in 2003 nor the H1N1 influenza (swine flu) pandemic in 2009. Most countries worldwide have not implemented travel bans in response to this outbreak in China, and they are not recommended by the World Health Organisation.

Alongside other countries globally, including New Zealand, Australia and the United States, Fiji has intensified efforts to reduce the risk of the virus being introduced and spreading in Fiji through a multilayered approach, including early identification of cases at the international borders and in the community, targeted awareness for high-risk persons, in particular travelers visiting or returning from affected areas, and enhancing the skills and resources of our health staff to rapidly respond if a case is identified.

As a core part of Fiji’s preparedness for possible introduction of the virus, the Ministry is working with international border control stakeholders, including airlines and airport and port authorities, to enhance existing mechanisms to detect ill travelers at international points of entry. Under Fijian legislation, airlines and vessels are required to report any ill passengers prior to disembarking. All travellers arriving on flights from Hong Kong and Singapore undergo additional health screening. And as an added health screening measure, all incoming passengers will soon be required to complete s supplementary arrivals card – an Arrival Health Declaration Form- to help ensure all travelers are checked for their potential exposure to the virus.

On Wednesday 29 January, the Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services will begin providing refresher training to health workers on infection prevention and control measures, ensuring they are aware and equipped with the correct procedures and protective wear to safely respond to any potential cases.

What can you do?

Whilst we await further information about this new disease, at this time the Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services wishes to remind the public that staying calm and continuing to practice good hygiene is important in helping to protect them against many diseases.

This includes:

• Frequently cleaning hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water;
• When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – throw tissue away immediately and wash hands;
• Avoid close contact with anyone who has fever and cough;
• Avoid non-essential travel to mainland China
• If you have been to China in the last 14 days and develop any of the symptoms (fever, cough or difficulty breathing), immediately contact one of the numbers listed below. If you need to see a doctor please call ahead, using the following phone numbers, before visiting to reduce the risk of infecting other patients.

Central 2219905 | Eastern 2219906 | Western 2219907 | Northern 2219908

The Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services is monitoring the developing situation and will provide updates regularly to the public.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND MEDICAL SERVICES

Date: 27/01/2020

Media Release 3: 2019 Novel Coronavirus

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services health team at the Nadi International Airport received notification from Fiji Airways of six ill Chinese national passengers onboard Apia-Nadi flight FJ 254 shortly prior to landing at 5.48pm on Sunday January 26^th. The entire group of six Chinese nationals were reportedly refused entry into Samoa upon arrival on flight FJ 255 Nadi-Apia earlier in the day due to travel restrictions implemented by Samoa last week related to the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak. The group had transited through Nadi enroute to Apia on the same day via Hong Kong on flight FJ392. It is not clear if the reportedly ill passengers was medically assessed or noted to be ill while being refused entry in Samoa.

Health staff met the Apia-Nadi flight upon arrival at 5.48pm and the 6 Chinese nationals were medically screened. All six were examined by a doctor and assessed as well, with no fever. All six are from Fujian province in China. None had a history of travel to Wuhan, or Hubei province.  However, as a precaution, further investigations are underway for one of the passengers, a 71-year-old male, and the group remains under quarantine until they are cleared to fly.

While Fujian province in China has reported 18 confirmed cases of 2019 novel coronavirus, all internationally exported cases to date have had a history of travel to Wuhan in Hubei province- which is the epicenter of the outbreak with over 1000 confirmed cases. Based on the medical examination and history it is not expected that this is a case – however, taking a cautious approach, quarantine is being maintained for all six Chinese nationals until further investigation results are available.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services today called the first meeting of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Multi-agency Steering Committee. Members of the steering committee include representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister, Solicitor General’s Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Ministry of Communications, the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji, Department of Civil Aviation, Fiji Revenue and Customs Service, Department of Immigration, Ministry of Defence and National Security, and the Fiji Police Force.

Representatives from the World Health Organisation presented an update on 2019-nCoV to the steering committee, which included recommendations from the WHO Emergency Committee to member states. The Ministry of Health and Medical Services detailed the steps currently being taken to manage the risk of 2019-nCoV, with an emphasis on prevention, early detection, rapid response and case management, and preparedness of health facilities and staff. The agencies present discussed and came to agreement on shared responsibilities for effective preparedness and response.

The 2019 Novel Coronavirus Multiagency Steering Committee will meet weekly to ensure a co-ordinated multiagency response to address the risk of 2019-nCoV.

The Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services is closely monitoring the developments surrounding the 2019 novel coronavirus in Wuhan China. We are also following advice by the World Health Organisation with regards to prevention of spread of this newly identified virus. An advisory group of relevant experts, including the WHO, have met and advised on response to the current situation. In accordance with these recommendations, the response in Fiji will be based on evidence and international best practice, while adapting to our local context.

What is the Ministry doing?

Our response is multilayered with focus on mitigation of spread in Fiji through: early identification of cases at the international borders and in the community, targeted awareness for high-risk persons (e.g those who have travelled to the outbreak area), awareness for the general public to reduce their risk, and readiness of our health staff to respond to any cases.

International border control is one part of our response, and we are working with the relevant stakeholders, including airport authorities and airlines, to enhance existing mechanisms for detecting ill travellers at the international point of entry. As routine procedure airlines are required to report if there are ill passengers on board. If a flight reports an ill passenger, they are assessed by health staff on the ground and managed as appropriate.

There are no direct flights from Wuhan to Fiji. However, we do have flights from Hong Kong and Singapore that may serve as connections from passengers from Wuhan. Therefore, we are introducing additional health screening measures for passengers disembarking from flights that originate in Hong Kong and Singapore. Passengers on these flights will be met upon disembarkation by our officers, who will review the health declaration on immigration cards and request information on recent travel to Wuhan. Passengers who have recently traveled to Wuhan and are suspected to have the disease will be managed according to existing protocols. Travellers from Wuhan who are not ill will be given information about the disease and what to do if they develop symptoms later. These measures may change as the situation develops.

Border health screening may not absolutely prevent cases from entering Fiji because a person who has been exposed to the virus may be completely well for about 7-14 days before they have any symptoms of the disease. Therefore, we have also alerted our healthcare workers in an advisory to keep alert for anyone presenting with symptoms of the disease who has history of travel to Wuhan. Early detection and response will help prevent any further spread in Fiji.

What can you do?

We are advising against travel to Wuhan in Hubei province China.

There is currently no vaccine against this new disease, but we advise Fijians to practice the following hygiene measures that will also prevent infection with a number of other diseases:

• Cover your mouth and nose with tissue, sleeve, or elbow when coughing or sneezing. Throw the tissue into a close bin after use. Clean hands after coughing and sneezing and when caring for the sick
• Wash your hands with soap and running water if visibly dirty. If your hands are not visibly dirty, wash them with soap and water or use an alcohol based hand cleanser.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services will continue to monitor the developing situation and will provide updates accordingly.