The Health Ministry has reported an outbreak of Typhoid in the Raranibulubulu community in Vanua Levu and sporadic cases in Navosa.
Permanent Secretary Dr James Fong said measures taken so far through outreach deployment of medical teams and the effective efforts of community leaders have controlled any escalation in case numbers.
“Typhoid fever is typically found in areas that do not have access to clean drinking water.”
“We strongly encourage people who live in rural areas, informal urban areas, and any other areas where access to clean drinking water is limited, to boil all drinking water.”
“We must all also continue to practise basic hygiene measures such as frequently washing hands with soap and water, especially after visiting the toilet and before eating or preparing food,” said Dr Fong.
He also confirmed that they have noted rising trends in cases of Leptospirosis and Dengue, however the admission levels remain low and the mortality rate among admitted cases also remains low.
“This is despite the fact that our reported case numbers had remained near or slightly above the outbreak level for most of this year.”
“We acknowledge the efforts of our community leaders, community health workers and health workers in the primary health space for their efforts in facilitating early detection and treatment.”
“Also, our divisional health teams with the support of staff from the National Disaster Management Team have been carrying out pre-emptive source reduction measures in selected hotspots over the last month.”
