Archives 2025

PRESS RELEASE # 108 | 9 December 2025.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) wishes to inform the public that in view of the evolving measles situation in New Zealand and Australia there is a risk of measles importation through travel and that members of the public are requested to the necessary precautions.

In New Zealand, 21 measles cases have been reported nationally as of 21 November, with 18 cases no longer infectious. In Australia, a total of 162 measles cases has been reported through the Australian National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System throughout the year with the most recent cases reported on 23 November. Both Australia and New Zealand health authorities continue to monitor people with symptoms and implement the necessary responses.

Fiji Situation

Measles can spread very quickly, especially in communities where some people are not vaccinated. To stop a single imported case from turning into a large outbreak, we must maintain high vaccination coverage, strong disease monitoring, and fast response actions.

Like many countries around the world, Fiji remains at risk of measles if our vaccination rates fall below 95%. Recent outbreaks in other countries show that measles can return even after many years without cases.

The Ministry of Health reminds everyone that measles is extremely contagious and can easily spread through coughing, sneezing, or close contact. The MMR vaccine is the best protection, as it protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. Please make sure you and your family are fully vaccinated.

Measles information

Transmission

Measles is a highly infectious airborne viral disease that spreads easily through the air through breathing, coughing, and sneezing. You are at risk of getting measles if you breathe the same air as someone with the disease and you are not immune. You are not immune if you have not been vaccinated, or you have never had the disease.

Symptoms

The symptoms of measles are:

Fever and a rash with any of the following: runny nose, sneezing, cough, red/watery eyes, white spots inside the mouth. The rash starts after the other symptoms and spreads all over the body.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for measles, as it is your body’s immune system that fights off the disease. Most people recover from a measles infection in 8-10 days with rest, and ensuring that they are eating and drinking to avoid dehydration.

Complications

Some people infected with measles develop severe complications such as pneumonia (infection of the lungs) or encephalitis (brain swelling). These people require hospitalization. Children under the age of five (5), babies younger than one (1) year old, pregnant women, adults over the age of twenty (20), and those with compromised immune systems are most at risk of complications.

Prevention

A safe and effective vaccine exists for measles. The Ministry of Health and Medical Services provides measles vaccine free to children. Since 2003, all children in Fiji are offered two (2) doses of the combination measles-rubella vaccine – starting from twelve (12) months of age. Fiji’s immunization coverage for children is good, and the Ministry also conducted a supplemental campaign in 2017 for all one (1) to ten (10) year olds. Please ensure your children have received at least two (2) doses of the measles vaccine according to the Fiji immunization schedule. This information should be in your child’s ‘Fiji Child Health Record’ (which is a booklet/card every child born in Fiji is provided) for children under the age of 5, and the school health card for school aged children.

Measles in Fiji

Because we have an effective immunization program, measles is rare in Fiji. However, outbreaks around the world, including in neighbouring countries, still put Fiji at risk of measles cases.

How to protect yourself:

• Measles is a highly contagious, serious airborne disease caused by a virus that can lead to severe complications and death.
• It spreads easily when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes.
• Measles can affect anyone, but unvaccinated children are most at risk.
• Being vaccinated is the best way to prevent getting sick with measles or spreading it to other people. The vaccine is safe and helps your body fight off the virus.
• Check your vaccination status, ensure you and your children have received two doses of the measles and rubella vaccine. Visit the nearest health centre and talk to your doctor for more information.

ENDS.

PRESS RELEASE #107 | 9 December 2025.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MoHMS) advises that an increase in influenza-like illnesses (ILI) is currently being observed across all four divisions in Fiji: Central, Western, Northern, and Eastern. This increase is consistent with the country’s seasonal influenza season, which typically occurs during the cooler, wetter months of the year.

Recent surveillance data from the Fiji Centre for Disease Control (Fiji CDC), collected through the Early Warning Alert and Response Surveillance (EWARS), show a gradual rise in ILI and acute respiratory infection (ARI) reports over the past 3 weeks.

Laboratory testing conducted at the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) has confirmed that Influenza A (H3 subtype) is the predominant circulating strain.

Current Situation

While the overall increase in respiratory illnesses is expected during this time of year, the Ministry notes that the trend has begun slightly earlier than usual, mirroring similar early-season rises observed in other countries in the Western Pacific Region.

At this stage, there is no evidence of unusual disease severity or excess hospitalisations beyond what is proportionate to the rise in cases. Most reported cases are being managed in outpatient settings, while there are notifications of a gradual rise in hospital admissions.

Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that Influenza A (H3N2) is also the dominant circulating subtype in the Western Pacific region. Fiji’s current influenza trends are therefore consistent with global seasonal patterns.

Public Health Response

In response to the increased influenza activity, the Ministry has:

Enhanced influenza surveillance and laboratory testing through the Fiji CDC and NPHL to track circulating strains.

All Divisional and Subdivisional Health Teams are alerted to monitor ARI and ILI trends and reinforce infection prevention measures in health facilities.

Distributed influenza awareness materials jointly developed with the WHO to schools, workplaces, and health centers.

Activated the Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) network to promote early care-seeking and home-based prevention practices.

Encouraged participation in the community-based surveillance platform “Flutracking Fiji”, which helps monitor flu activity through public reporting.

Public Health Advisory

Influenza (“the flu”) is a contagious respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses. Symptoms typically include:

Sudden onset of fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headache, and fatigue.

Most people recover within a week, but infants, pregnant women, older adults, and those with chronic conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease) are at risk of severe illness or complications.

The Ministry urges members of the public to:

1. Seek medical attention early if you or your child has flu-like symptoms.
2. Stay home if unwell to prevent spreading the virus to others.
3. Practice good hygiene – wash hands often and cover coughs and sneezes.
4. Keep indoor spaces well ventilated and avoid overcrowded gatherings if ill.
5. Protect vulnerable family members, especially young children and the elderly.
6. Maintain good hydration and nutrition during illness to support recovery.

ENDS.

PRESS RELEASE # 106 | 1 December 2025.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) is urging the public, particularly communities in the Northern Division, to take immediate precautionary measures following recent deaths associated with leptospirosis.

The Ministry stresses that “although current leptospirosis case reports may be low, it is still a deadly disease and therefore the need for public awareness and prevention measures.” The recent fatalities highlight the ongoing risk, especially after periods of heavy rain and flooding and with these weather conditions more cases are to be expected.

Leptospirosis is preventable and treatable if detected early. MHMS urges everyone to take precautions seriously and seek medical care immediately if unwell.

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Leptospirosis Advisory

What it is?

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals. It is caused by bacteria of the. In humans, it can cause a wide range of symptoms, some of which may be mistaken for other diseases. Some infected persons, however, may have no symptoms at all.

Without treatment, leptospirosis can lead to kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure, respiratory distress, and even death.

How is it Spread?

The bacteria that cause leptospirosis are spread through the urine of infected animals, which can get into water or soil and can survive there for weeks, even months. Many different kinds of wild and domestic animals carry the bacterium.

These can include, but are not limited to:

• Cattle
• Pigs
• Rats
• Horses
• Dogs
• Mongoose

When these animals are infected, they may have no symptoms of the disease. Infected animals may continue to excrete the bacteria into the environment continuously or every once in a while, for a few months up to several years.

Humans can become infected through:

• Contact with urine (or other body fluids, except saliva) from infected animals
• Contact with water, soil, or food contaminated with the urine of infected animals.

The bacteria can enter the body through skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth), especially if the skin is broken from a cut or scratch. Drinking water or food contaminated by the leptospirosis bacteria can also cause infection.

Who is at risk?

While in other parts of the world leptospirosis is mostly seen in people who work on farms, or work closely with animals, in Fiji leptospirosis is also a more common infection seen in rural and urban areas. With increases in severe weather events due to climate change, leptospirosis is becoming even more prevalent than in the past.

Anyone can get leptospirosis if they are exposed to the urine of infected animals, but in Fiji the disease is most commonly seen in people between the age of adolescence to 45, as this is the age group more likely to be active outdoors e.g. swimming in rivers, wading in muddy areas. In Fiji, the rainy season also increases the risk of leptospirosis, due to higher rainfall, which increases the risk of contaminated animal urine washing into waterways and mud/soil.

What are the Symptoms?

In humans, leptospirosis can cause a wide range of symptoms, including:

• High fever
• Headache
• Chills
• Muscle aches
• Vomiting
• Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
• Red eyes
• Abdominal Pain
• Diarrhoea
• Rash

Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for other diseases. In addition, some infected persons may have no symptoms at all.

The time between a person’s exposure to a contaminated source and becoming sick is 2 days – 4 weeks. Illness usually begins abruptly with fever and other symptoms. Leptospirosis may occur in two phases;

1. After the first phase (with fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, or diarrhoea) the patient may recover for a time but become ill again.

2. If a second phase occurs, it is more severe; the person becomes severely ill, may have a cough and coughing up blood, blood in the urine, with kidney or liver failure or meningitis. This phase is also called Weil’s disease.

The illness lasts from a few days to 3 weeks or longer. Without proper treatment, recovery may take several months. People who develop severe leptospirosis are at risk of death.

If you or anyone you know has any of the above symptoms, you should seek urgent medical attention.

How do I reduce my risk of catching Leptospirosis?

The risk of acquiring leptospirosis can be greatly reduced by not swimming or wading in water that might be contaminated with animal urine or eliminating contact with potentially infected animals.

Protective clothing or footwear should be worn by those exposed to contaminated water or soil because of their job or recreational activities.

To avoid becoming infected:

• You must store your food safely away from animals, including rats
• You must always wear protective clothing and protective footwear outside of your home, especially around animals and agricultural areas
• Never swim in contaminated waters

How is it treated?

• Leptospirosis is treated with antibiotics administered by a doctor, which should be given early in the course of the disease.
• Intravenous antibiotics may be required for persons with more severe symptoms. Persons with severe leptospirosis will need intensive care in a hospital.