Fiji Ministry of Health: Current dengue outbreak will be worst since 1975
With the number of dengue cases continuing to escalate, 1,000 people a week for the last six weeks, Fiji health officials warn that the current outbreak will reach 24,000 cases making it the worst dengue outbreak on the Pacific island since 1975, according to a Radio New Zealand International report today.
Since Oct. 30, 2013 to Mar. 10, 2014, Fiji has recorded 11,359 confirmed clinical cases, the Health Ministry’s communicable diseases advisor, Dr. Mike Kama said.
Over the last few weeks, the western division has recorded the highest number of cases which is 2,715. The central division recorded 880 cases, northern 756 cases and eastern division had 7 cases which mostly came from Kadavu.
The great number of cases has also put a strain on the health care infrastructure on Fiji, as Dr. Kama explains:
“In terms of the management of the masses that flock to the health centres at this point and time – we’ve had to build some extra facilities especially for the outpatient department. We’ve had to bring in some volunteers from our NGOs to work in our triage section. We’ve been managing quite well, considering the burden.”
Clean-up campaigns are ongoing on the island and the public is encouraged to help.
Image/Fiji Ministry of Health
For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page and the Outbreak News This Week Radio Show page.
