MHMS FIJI
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Search results for dengue 2024

END OF DENGUE FEVER & LEPTOSPIROSIS OUTBREAKS

MEDIA STATEMENT: For Release

23/07/2024

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services is announcing the end of the outbreaks of leptospirosis in the Western Division and Kadavu and the end of the outbreaks of dengue fever in the Western Division and Ovalau that were declared on April 29th this year.

A declining trend of case numbers has been seen in these areas in recent weeks, with case numbers now at expected levels for this time of the year. The Ministry advises the public to continue to be vigilant about preventing infection with these diseases as cases do occur outside outbreak periods.

Leptospirosis, Typhoid Fever and Dengue Fever (LTD) Update

Leptospirosis

There have been 1245 leptospirosis cases reported so far this year, with 429 from the Central Division, 378 in the Northern Division, 389 in the Western Division, and 49 in the Eastern Division with 36 of these from Kadavu. Case numbers are now at expected levels for this time of the year. There have been 13 leptospirosis-related deaths reported so far this year, with 6 in the Western Division, 6 in the Northern Division, and 1 in the Central Division.

Dengue

There have been 2033 dengue fever cases reported so far this year, with 893 in the Central Division, 557 in the Western Division, 428 in the Northern Division, and 155 in the Eastern Division with 132 of these in Ovalau. Case numbers are now at expected levels for this time of the year.

Typhoid fever

There have been 78 cases of typhoid fever reported so far this year, with 35 in the Central Division, 33 in the Western Division, 10 in the Northern Division, and 0 in the Eastern Division. Notably, in the Northern Division, where the typhoid vaccination campaign has been ongoing, there has been a decrease in typhoid fever cases reported this year compared to previous years.

Dengue Fever Outbreak in Ovalau and the Western Division

PR  14/2024

For Immediate Release

26/04/2024

Dengue Fever Outbreak in Ovalau and the Western Division

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has declared dengue fever outbreaks in Ovalau and in the Western Division where case numbers are significantly above expected levels for this time of the year.

Ovalau Dengue Outbreak

There have been 72 cases of dengue fever reported from the Levuka Hospital in Ovalau since January 1st this year, with a recent surge in cases reported in these preceding two weeks. The majority of cases are in the 10-19 age group, and from several communities and villages in Ovalau. There have been no deaths to date.

The Lomaiviti Subdivision Outbreak Response Team (SORT) have upscaled their public health response with site specific and community wide awareness and information sessions. Response activities already implemented by the Lomaiviti SORT included:

  • Information sharing in the Bose ni Tikina meetings in Ovalau, and evening awareness sessions conducted in several communities and villages.
  • An awareness session and source reduction/clean-up activities at the St John’s College in Cawaci.
  • Targeted anti-mosquito spraying in hot-spot and at-risk villages and communities.
  • Case investigations, household inspections and applicable prosecution works.
  • Surge capacity and readiness activated by the Levuka hospital facility and use of recommended dengue fever clinical management guidelines for cases.

Western Division Dengue Outbreak

A total of 370 cases of dengue fever have been reported for the Western Division since the beginning of this year. In these preceding 2-3 weeks, a surge in cases has been observed particularly in Nadi, Ba and Tavua. The majority of cases from the Western Division belong to the 10-49 age group, while it appears to be predominantly affecting the 50-59 age group in the Ba medical subdivision.

More cases of dengue fever are expected every year during the rainy season from October to April and following periods of adverse weather conditions. In anticipation of this increase in cases, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services conducted a three-month long mass media awareness campaign through TV and radio beginning in December 2023. This mass media campaign was continued following the recent adverse weather conditions in March and April, in anticipation of the increase in cases of communicable diseases, including dengue fever, and to advise the public on prevention of such diseases. Awareness continues both in mass media and on official MHMS social media pages. Community engagement by the Ministry’s Divisional and Subdivisional teams has also continued throughout the rainy season.

Divisional health teams have been alerted to the increasing number of dengue fever cases above expected levels, in order to encourage early recognition, treatment, and referral of cases as required. Divisional and subdivisional outbreak response teams have also been trained to investigate and to respond during outbreaks.

We continue to urge the public to learn about dengue fever, take precautions to prevent infection, and present early to a medical facility should you develop symptoms.

https://www.health.gov.fj/dengue-fever/

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