PUBLIC ADVISORY # 31 | 22 May 2026.
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services wishes to advise members of the public that the Tavua Hospital mortuary will be closed from Monday 25th May until Friday June 12th, 2026 for renovations.
Therefore, the Ministry urge members of the public to take their deceased loved ones to the Ba Aspen Hospital or other health care facilities with morgue services nearby.
The Ministry apologises for any inconvenience caused during this time.
ENDS
PUBLIC ADVISORY # 30 | 11 May 2026.
The Ministry of Health & Medical Services, continues to monitor the outbreak of Hantavirus on the Hondius cruise ship now anchored off Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands.
The Fiji Centre for Disease Control (FCDC) at the Ministry understands that eight (8) cases have been identified, with three (3) deaths and they will continue to monitor the situation.
No cases have been reported to date in Fiji, and none of the cruise ship passengers are from Fiji.
The risk to Fiji from this cruise ship outbreak is very low.
As part of standard protocols, in-line with international requirements, all ships at international ports of entry in Fiji are subject to strict health declaration and inspection requirements, before clearance for entry in order to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
These include the production of Ship Sanitation Certificates (which include information on de-ratting) and Maritime Declaration of Health identifying sick passengers on board.
These standard protocols for ships at ports of entry include the boarding of vessels for inspection by Environmental Health Officers of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and escalation in line with contingency plans as needed.
The Ministry also has in place surveillance systems for the reporting of infectious diseases, and protocols at international ports of entry for the isolation and treatment of sick passengers, including through our Border Health Protection Unit in Nadi as needed.
Hantavirus is a rare and serious disease transmitted to humans through exposure to the urine, faeces and saliva of infected rodents like rats or mice.
It is not easily spread from human to human, however, the Andes strain causing the cruise ship outbreak has been shown to transmit amongst close contacts.
ENDS
Hantaviruses are zoonotic viruses that naturally infect rodents and can occasionally spread to people.
PUBLIC ADVISORY # 29 | 6 May 2026.
Essential upgrade works are currently underway at Colonial War Memorial Hospital as part of the Potable Water and Maternity Sewer Line Project.
These works are being delivered in stages within an active hospital environment, with careful planning in place to minimise disruption to patient care and day-to-day hospital operations.
During this period, members of the public may notice temporary changes such as construction zones, noise, dust, and short-term access adjustments near work areas.
Where disruption is unavoidable, early notice and practical workarounds will be provided in close coordination with hospital management.
The Ministry thanks patients and visitors for their patience and cooperation as these important upgrades are completed.
Please follow on-site notices and guidance from hospital staff for updates.
ENDS
PUBLIC ADVISORY # 28 | 5 May 2026.
Nine (9) of the fire victims at the Zamzam Restaurant in Samabula this afternoon, are currently admitted at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH) after sustaining burns from the fire.
Update received as of 2:00pm today, is that two of the burn victims are currently on life support while the rest are on Inhalation Burn Treatment and Facial Burn Treatment.
Doctors at the Emergency Department are doing their utmost best in treating the burn victims.
The Ministry will continue to provide an update as it comes through.
ENDS