Synopsis
Fiji's Health Ministry has declared a dengue fever outbreak in the Western Division, with over 2,400 cases reported. Interventions include house-to-house surveillance and mosquito control measures. The outbreak is linked to severe weather conditions caused by Tropical Cyclone Rae.Key Takeaways
- Dengue outbreak declared in Fiji's Western Division.
- Over 2,400 cases reported as of February 23.
- Severe weather from Tropical Cyclone Rae contributed to the outbreak.
- Health teams conducting surveillance and mosquito control.
- Preventive measures include eliminating standing water.
Suva, March 13 (NationPress) The Health Ministry of Fiji has announced a dengue fever outbreak in the Western Division, where the highest incidence of cases has been recorded.
As of February 23, the total number of dengue cases reported in Fiji is 2,436, with 1,411 confirmed in the Western Division.
This surge in cases is linked to the severe rains and flooding caused by Tropical Cyclone Rae, which has created favorable conditions for the virus to spread, as reported by the Xinhua news agency citing the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation.
The ministry has initiated focused interventions in the impacted divisions, where public health teams are performing house-to-house surveillance, applying larvicides, and executing mosquito spraying to curb the outbreak.
Environmental health officers are intensifying enforcement measures, inspecting properties for mosquito breeding grounds and imposing fines under the Public Health Act for infractions, as per the report.
Similar proactive initiatives are being implemented in other divisions, including the Central, Northern, and Eastern Divisions.
The Health Ministry emphasizes that preventive actions, such as removing standing water around residences, are crucial for controlling the outbreak.
The World Health Organization notes that dengue, also known as break-bone fever, is a viral infection transmitted from mosquitoes to humans, predominantly occurring in tropical and subtropical regions.
Most individuals infected with dengue do not exhibit symptoms. However, common symptoms for those who do include high fever, headache, body aches, nausea, and rash. Most recover within 1 to 2 weeks, but some may develop severe dengue requiring hospitalization.
In severe instances, dengue can lead to mortality.
The risk of dengue can be mitigated by avoiding mosquito bites, particularly during daylight hours.
Dengue is managed with pain relief medications, as there is currently no specific treatment available.
Most dengue fever cases can be managed at home with pain relievers.
The peak in dengue cases was observed in 2023, impacting over 80 countries across all regions of the WHO. The ongoing transmission, coupled with an unexpected rise in cases, has led to a record high of over 6.5 million cases and more than 7,300 dengue-related deaths reported since the start of 2023.
