MHMS FIJI
MHMS FIJI

Category Press Release

MINISTRY PREPARES FOR MPOX

 

PR 24/24

Date: 15/08/2024

Ministry Prepares for Mpox

The Director General of the World Health Organization has determined that the recent increase in cases of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a growing number of countries in Africa, constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). An emergence of a new strain or ‘clade’ (clade Ib) of mpox is thought to be driving the outbreak in the Eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, with cases also reported in neighboring countries of Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire.

Since the last global health emergency for mpox in 2022, case numbers of mpox in regions outside Africa have been low in 2024.

According to the latest WHO Situation Report (August 12th), of the 934 confirmed mpox cases reported globally this year in the month of June, 567 were from the African Region, with 96% of these cases in Africa reported from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

An increase in cases, and the new clade Ib, have not yet been reported outside of Africa, however, the recent upsurge in cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with rapidly increasing cases in neighboring countries, are of concern, with risk of further spread in Africa and beyond.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has protocols and guidelines in place for mpox that were established at the time of the WHO declaration of the mpox global public health emergency in 2022.

Training of healthcare workers was conducted at that time, and annual training in infectious disease outbreak response continues to be conducted by Fiji CDC.

In response to this mpox global health emergency declaration by the WHO, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services is convening the Communicable Disease Committee to review the global situation, review Fiji’s current prevention, preparedness and response measures that were established during the 2022 mpox global public health emergency and implement necessary actions such as retraining of healthcare workers.

As in 2022, response will focus on strengthened case identification and surveillance to identify and manage cases early.

Mpox is spread by close contact, including sexual contact, and contact with mpox lesions and body fluids, as well as contaminated material such as bedding and surfaces.

Mpox is usually a mild and self-limiting illness, which means that most people recover with supportive treatment (i.e. focused on symptom relief) within several weeks, along with infection prevention and control measures to reduce risk of spread to others. However, previous outbreaks in endemic African countries have shown that severe illness can occur in some individuals, including those with compromised immune systems, young children, and pregnant women.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services advises travelers to affected countries to take precautions to avoid close contact with people who have symptoms of mpox. Anyone who develops a fever and body aches followed by a blistering rash (similar to chicken pox) after recent international travel should seek medical attention and inform their doctor of their recent travel history.

Mpox remains a legislated national notifiable disease, and all medical professionals are reminded that early notification to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services is critical to preventing and controlling outbreaks. Laboratory testing of samples for suspected cases of mpox is still available at Fiji CDC, and to date there have been no confirmed cases reported in Fiji.

The Ministry will continue to maintain surveillance for early detection of cases, monitor the global situation, and work with the WHO and our partner agencies to adapt the response as necessary for any further developments.

END

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.

MHMS RESPONDS to the AstraZeneca COVID-19 VACCINE

11/05/2024

Ministry of Health and Medical Services Responds to News Article by the Fiji Times on the AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services is aware that AstraZeneca has recently announced that it has withdrawn its COVID-19 vaccine worldwide citing a surplus of available updated vaccines that target new variants of the virus. There has been a drop in demand for the AstraZeneca vaccine as it is less effective than newer vaccines against the latest variants.

The statement by the Fiji Times (11/05/24) that this vaccine was banned in Australia needs correcting. The Australian Government’s Therapeutic Goods Administration stated on April 24th, 2024, that AstraZeneca had voluntarily cancelled the vaccine from the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) and the “cancellation of this vaccine from the ARTG was a business decision of the company, due to no current or anticipated future demand for the vaccine, and follows similar business decisions made overseas”. The Ministry urges vigilance by the media in using credible sources of information for their news reports.

The AstraZeneca vaccine (known as Vaxzevria or Covishield) was used in Fiji from March 2021 to February 2022, and its rapid rollout during the Delta outbreak in 2021 saved many lives. The AstraZeneca vaccine has not been available in Fiji since February 2022, as stocks had depleted, and the Ministry had acquired the Moderna and then Pfizer vaccines, which were more effective against the Omicron variant.

To be clear, a new side effect of the AstraZeneca vaccine has not been discovered. The very rare but serious side effect of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), a rare blood clotting disorder, is not a new risk. It was identified by international health authorities in 2021 and communicated to the Fijian public by the Ministry in March 2021, before the start of Fiji’s COVID-19 Delta Variant outbreak. This very rare side effect was estimated to affect 2-3 in every 100,000 people and occurred between 4 and 42 days of receiving the first dose of the vaccine. At the time, the risk of becoming infected with the virus and dying was much higher than this rare side effect from the vaccine. During the Delta outbreak people that were not vaccinated were dying from COVID-19 at rates more than 10 times higher than those that were fully vaccinated. Sadly, many who chose not to vaccinate were influenced by the misinformation and disinformation being spread about COVID-19 vaccines.

By the end of 2021, 698 people had died from COVID-19 in Fiji, there is no doubt that many more would have died without the AstraZeneca vaccine.
As it has done in the past, the Ministry will continue to ensure that the latest in medications including vaccines are made available to the population, and any inherent risk associated with such medications and vaccines are communicated well to the public.

Leptospirosis Outbreak in Kadavu and the Western Division

PR  13/2024

For Immediate Release

26/04/2024

Leptospirosis Outbreak in Kadavu and the Western Division

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

Kadavu Leptospirosis Outbreak

The Kadavu medical subdivision has reported a total of 31 laboratory-confirmed leptospirosis cases since the beginning of this year, with a surge in cases observed in recent weeks. The majority of cases are in 10-19 age group, with all cases of i-Taukei ethnicity.

A surge support team was mobilised to assist the Kadavu Subdivisional Outbreak Response Team (SORT) in implementing their prevention and control activities in response towards this outbreak, including:

  • Raising awareness on leptospirosis and information on health and other communicable diseases.
  • Conducting environmental risk assessments including assessment of animals, water sources and sanitation facilities in the affected communities, including issuance of nuisance abatement notices.
  • Upscaling and continuous surveillance in hot-spot and at-risk communities – including vector surveillance.
  • Distribution of rat baits to households.

Western Division Leptospirosis Outbreak

There have been 212 cases of leptospirosis reported for the Western Division since the beginning of this year. In these preceding 2-3 weeks, laboratory-reported case numbers surpassed outbreak threshold levels in the Western Division, with the majority of cases coming from the Lautoka and Ba medical subdivisions. Most cases from the Western Division are within the 10-29 age range, with 75% of cases being of i-Taukei ethnicity.

Medical officers, nurse practitioners and other health care workers in all the divisions have been alerted to this surge in leptospirosis cases to above expected levels following the recent rainy and adverse weather conditions. Clinicians have been reminded to manage suspected leptospirosis cases in accordance with recommended clinical management guidelines, and virtual awareness sessions on clinical management have been conducted.  This is to encourage early recognition, treatment, and referral of cases as required. Divisional and Subdivisional health teams have also been trained to investigate cases and implement necessary public health prevention and control measures, including the collaboration with relevant animal health authorities for targeted vector surveillance and control.

More cases of leptospirosis 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, such as leptospirosis, 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.

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

https://www.health.gov.fj/leptospirosis/

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/