Category Public Advisory

PRESS RELEASE # 3 | 14 January 2026.

Members of the public are being urged to celebrate the New Year safely and responsibly, following reports of individuals being thrown into drains, flooded areas, and other unhygienic environments during water‑related festivities.

While water‑throwing is a long‑standing and joyful Fijian tradition, recent behaviors have introduced significant health and safety risks. Drains, stagnant pools, and muddy areas often harbor harmful bacteria and contaminants that can cause serious infections and diseases.

Health Risks

Exposure to dirty or contaminated water can result in:

• Skin infections
• Fungal diseases
• Eye infections
• Gastrointestinal illnesses
• Leptospirosis, a potentially life‑threatening bacterial disease spread through water contaminated with animal urine
• Injuries from sharp objects, slippery surfaces, or hidden debris

Leptospirosis cases typically rise during Fiji’s wet season, and unsafe water activities increase the risk of outbreaks.

The Ministry strongly encourages:

• Celebrating with clean water only
• Avoiding drains, creeks, flooded areas, and muddy environments
• Supervising children during celebrations
• Seeking medical attention immediately if symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, red eyes, or vomiting occur after exposure to dirty water

We want everyone to enjoy the New Year, but we must do so safely.

Throwing people into drains or contaminated water is dangerous and can lead to serious illness and injuries. Let’s protect our families, our communities, and our health.

The Ministry thanks the public for their cooperation and wishes everyone a safe and healthy New Year

ENDS.

PRESS RELEASE # 2 | 13 January 2026.

The Ministry of Health confirms a temporary adjustment to service delivery at the Ono-i-Lau Health Centre following an incident that is currently before the court.

The Ministry prioritizes the security of its facilities and the safety of its staff. As a precautionary measure, health personnel will be temporarily relocated from the island this week.

Health service will continue virtually from Labeka Hospital daily, supported by the Divisional Eastern Health Services office. Community care will also be maintained through our three local Community Health Workers in Doi, Nukuni, and Matokana villages.

The Ministry assures the public that these are interim measures while a permanent security and staffing framework is established. We remain committed to restoring full primary health services to Ono-i-Lau as soon as possible, under conditions that guarantee the dignity and safety of our staff and the security of our facilities.

END

PRESS RELEASE # 1 | 6 January 2026.

Parents, grandparents, and caregivers are being urged to exercise extreme vigilance during the final weeks of the school holidays.

The advice follows a spike in serious, preventable injuries among children, which include fractures from falls, severe burns, and accidental poisoning.

Rise in emergency admissions for such cases has been directly linked to common holiday scenarios: unsupervised play leading to dangerous climbs, experimentation with homemade items like bamboo guns, access to hot liquids, and accidental ingestion of household chemicals.

Parents and guardians are being reminded that the safety of our children is a community-wide responsibility.

A moment of distraction can lead to a lifetime of regret. We are urging every adult to actively supervise children, secure potential hazards in the home, and be prepared to act in an emergency. Let’s work together to ensure our children return to school healthy and safe.”

Immediate Actions Required for Child Safety:

The MOHMS advises all households to implement these critical safety measures immediately:

1. Prevent Road Traffic Injuries: Ensure children use age-appropriate car seats, booster seats, or seat belts on every single trip, no matter how short. Drivers must eliminate distractions and strictly adhere to speed limits, especially in residential areas. Teach children road safety rules and supervise them near driveways and streets.
2. Prevent Falls and Fractures: Actively supervise play. Secure bookshelves and televisions to walls, use safety gates on stairs, and keep windows locked. Encourage climbing in safe, designated areas, such as playgrounds, not on furniture or trees.
3. Stop Serious Burns and Scalds: Never leave children unattended near kitchens or bathrooms. Turn pot handles inward on the stove, keep hot drinks away from table edges, and test bath water temperature before use. Discuss the extreme dangers of homemade projectile devices.
4. Eliminate Poisoning Risks: Store all medicines, cleaning products, perfumes, and chemicals like kerosene in their original containers inside a locked cabinet, out of sight and reach. Never transfer hazardous substances to drink bottles.

Emergency Preparedness is Key:

• For Burns: Cool the affected area under cool running water for 20 minutes. Do not apply ice, butter, or toothpaste.
• For Suspected Poisoning: Call 911. Do not wait for symptoms to appear. Have the product container with you when you call.
• In any life-threatening emergency, call emergency services or proceed to the nearest hospital.

Let’s make the rest of these holidays safe and joyful. Watch, Secure, and Supervise.

ENDS

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.