Category Press Release

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.

Measles outbreak for Serua/Namosi declared over

The Serua/Namosi measles outbreak declared on November 7^th 2019 is now at an end. A total of 12 cases of measles were reported from Serua/Namosi during the outbreak. No new cases have been reported since the end of November, and more than 42 days (two incubation periods) have passed since the last case. The outbreak in Serua/Namosi was brought to an end in less than a month from the time it was declared through the massive response efforts of the Serua/Namosi Sub-divisional Health Team, which included the vaccination of 96% of the subdivision’s population. The people of Serua/Namosi are also to be commended for heeding the Ministry’s advice and coming forward to be vaccinated.

Case update

The measles outbreak remains ongoing for the rest of Central Division. However, weekly reported cases have decreased and there have been no new cases reported since the last update on January 9^th. The respective sub-divisional outbreak response teams will continue to respond to new cases as they arise.

The case count remains at 28, and all cases are from the following areas in the Central Division:

• 12 cases from the Serua/Namosi Subdivision (Wailali, Wainadoi, Navunikabi, and Makosoi Deuba)
• 9 cases from Suva Subdivision (Toorak, Nabua, Samabula, Vatuwaqa, Sakoca in Tacirua, Wailekutu and Naikorokoro Village in Lami).
• 3 cases from Rewa Subdivision (Koronivia, Nasilai Village Nakelo, Davuilevu).
• 4 cases from Naitasiri Subdivision (Saumakia Village)

The 3-month-old baby reported in previous updates has now been discharged home from CWM Hospital. All cases to date have recovered, and there are no measles patients currently admitted in hospital. There have been no deaths.

The public are urged to continue to take the following precautions:

• If you or a loved one are in a measles vaccination target group and have not been vaccinated during this campaign please do get vaccinated now.
• Avoid non-essential travel to the outbreak areas of Sakoca in Tacirua, Naikorokoro Village in Lami, Saumakia Village in Naitasiri, Nasilai Village in Nakelo.
• If you are holding an event or gathering with international visitors, or participants from an outbreak area, please strongly encourage them to get vaccinated against measles at least two weeks before travel. This especially applies to visitors traveling from other countries with measles outbreaks i.e. New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga, American Samoa, Kiribati, and Papua New Guinea.

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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 antiviral 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, babies younger than one-year old, pregnant women, adults over the age of twenty, 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 months of age. Fiji’s immunization coverage for children is good, and the Ministry also conducted a supplemental campaign in 2017 for all one to ten-year olds. Please ensure your children have received at least two 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 puts Fiji at risk of having cases of measles.

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Non-Government Organisation (NGO) Grant Round 2019/20

The Ministry of Health & Medical Services (MINISTRY) is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from relevant Non-Government Organisations (NGO) to provide services in coordination with MINISTRY in priority areas.

Grant Pool
The total grant pool is up to $500,000 and proposal budgets will take into account the services provided with a maximum budget of $150,000 per NGO. Depending on the quality of proposals & budget submitted that meets the grant round criteria, the total grant pool will be distributed across selected NGOs that fulfill all criteria.

Length of the grant
The funding round is aligned to 2019/20 financial year.

Priority Areas
1. Counselling Services
2. Ambulance Services
3. Long term care for elderly, chronically ill, terminally ill and people with a disability
4. Primary Health Screening Service

Selection Criteria
 Must be a Fijian NGO and registered under the Charitable Trust Act – international NGOs are not eligible to apply. With all applicable documentation as requested in the proposal format.
 Ability to articulate clear results that contribute to health program outcomes.
 Not replicating services of MINISTRY or other providers, but extending services to the most disadvantaged, marginalized and vulnerable groups including women and those with a disability, particularly those in rural and remote communities.
 Able to incorporate child protection approaches, have a current child protection policy and be compliant with the Child Welfare Decree and the Child Protection Interagency guidelines.
 More than 7 years previous experience in the identified work area.
 Strong Financial Systems that are documented in a finance manual and policy.
 Audited financial report for the last two years (annual report must be provided).
 Previous experience in implementing grants, managing donor funds and accounting for such funding.
 Have a demonstrated commitment to the objectives of “Universal Health Coverage”. Able to incorporate strong approaches that ensure services reach all people regardless of gender, ethnicity, social status, disability, location and age.
 Able to work collaboratively with MINISTRY (not replicating services, reporting through MINISTRY systems and processes, sharing data and resource, joint decision-making).

Please email ikhan001@govnet.gov.fj to obtain Expression of Interest document that contains the selection criteria, proposal and budget templates.

Due Date
All EOIs will be treated in strict confidence and must be received no later than 4.00 pm on 31st January 2020 addressing the full Selection Criteria Outlined in the EOI document, and using the templates provided.

EOI for CSO Grant Round 2019_20