Fiji dengue outbreak tops 10,000

The dengue fever outbreak has more than doubled on the Pacific island of Fiji since our last report on Feb. 23, with the total number of cases  now being reported is “We had well over 10,000 already and this is probably an underestimate as the reporting system needs to be strengthened a lot more,” according to Health Minister Dr Neil Sharma.

Aedes aegypti
Image/CDC

In fact, in a report on ABC News Australia, there are also fears the number of people infected may be actually closer to 15,000 with under reporting a major concern.

There has been 11 fatalities linked to the dengue outbreak.

Sharma says the outbreak involves the type-3 strain of dengue fever which has never been seen before in the country.

“The outbreak was detected in mid December, this is a dengue type-3 outbreak and this is new for Fiji,” he said.

Things have gotten so bad that dengue tops the issues discussed in local  district council meetings as topics like anti-dengue campaigns are right up there with  issues of water, electricity and roads.

Dr Sharma says communities need to work together otherwise this latest outbreak has the potential to go on for many more months to come.

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.

Looking for a job in health care? Check here to see what’s available