Fiji: Dengue outbreak declared by health officials May 1

Event

On Monday, May 1, health officials declared a dengue outbreak, with one death and 913 cases reported since January. According to local media, there have been one-third more cases reported this year as during the same time last year. The majority of cases have been on the main island of Viti Levu. The Minstry of Health and Medical Services advises people to seek medical attention if symptoms appear and to  destroy potential mosquito breeding grounds.

Context

Dengue outbreaks occur regularly, with most cases of the mosquito-borne disease found in urban and semi-urban areas. Symptoms of classic dengue fever include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, nausea, and rash. Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a potentially deadly complication that is characterized by high fever, the enlargement of the liver and hemorrhaging.

Advice

Individuals present in the region are advised to take measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites (e.g. by wearing covering clothing, using insect repellent, and sleeping in a screened-in or air conditioned room) and to eliminate possible mosquito breeding grounds (small pockets of fresh water, such as rain water that has collected in cans, bottles, tires, flower pots, clogged gutters, etc.).