Last Updated on 8 years by Publishing Team

Local testing for Mosquito viruses.

Plans are underway for testing Zika virus locally as medical laboratory staff undergo extensive training at the centre for Communicable Centre for Disease Control (CCDC) in Tamavua.

This was revealed to the Minister for Health and Medical Services Mr Jone Usamate as he met the trainees during his visit to the centre at Mataika house.

Endemic to the Pacific, mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever remain a threat to Fiji, especially with the emergence of new diseases such as Chikungunya and Zika.

In order to improve the management of such diseases, three CCDC laboratory staff are currently undergoing extensive training in conducting PCR testing for the three most common mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and zika, under the guidance of a senior scientist from the Queensland University of Technology in Australia.

Mr Usamate thanked Ms Debbie Phillips for providing the much-needed training to local staff which will enhance the capacity of the staff and reduce testing costs.

“On behalf of the Ministry I thank you for your efforts in training the staff and I am optimistic that we will be able to continue the work in a effective and efficient manner to assist our people”, he said.