Diarrhea - Fiji in diarrhoea emergency

[DB]

http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411749/746474
Fiji in diarrhoea emergency
Jun 10, 2006
Fijian health authorities have declared a state of medical emergency following an outbreak of diarrhoea that has claimed the lives of four children.

Fiji TV reports that all four deaths of have occurred near Suva but the diarrhoea is spreading to the west, with 49 cases reported since last month.

The latest death was reported on Friday.

Senior health ministry spokesman Dr Joe Koroivueta says the state of medical emergency activates the response to a disease outbreak.

The health ministry is also maintaining a watch on an outbreak of dengue fever and whooping cough which has claimed lives in Samoa and Papua New Guinea, in case a response is necessary in Fiji.

[Sharpe]

Re: Diarrhea - Fiji in diarrhoea emergency

It continues... Wonder what it is.

http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=45012

Flu on the rise: Doctor

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

MORE people are experiencing a flu-like illness in the Southern Division than in other parts of the country, says Doctor Joe Koroivueta, the head of the Fiji Centre for Communicable Diseases.

Between eight to 10 patients are seen in hospitals, health centres and private clinics in the capital since the start of the cold weather.

Dr Koroivueta said usually there were two peaks in a year for influenza.

"One is early in the year and the other at this time. It comes in waves and the current weather enables the virus to be transmitted efficiently," he said.

Dr Koroivueta said not only Fiji but Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia have experienced a similar flu.

President of the Fiji College of General Practitioners, Dr Wahid Khan said he treated 60 patients in his surgery at JP Bayly Clinic in Suva in the past week.

"In a day, I have an average of eight to 10 patients. These are people of all age groups who get the virus," he said.

Dr Khan said he had attended to more flu cases with symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting, which seemed to be going around for the last two weeks.

He said flu was common at this time of the year.

While the cases were not severe, he said precautions needed to be taken during the cold season to ensure people did not catch the flu virus.

"People should take heed when the virus does hit them. Keep yourself warm, don't get wet and drink a lot of warm fluids," he advised.

Another Suva medical practitioner, Dr Mahendra Hazratwala said on average, he treated around 30-50 flu patients in the last five days.

Dr Hazratwala said the flu patients mostly had diarrhoea and nausea as well as vomiting.

He attributed the cause of the flu to the colder periods experienced throughout the country during this time of the year.

Dr Hazratwala recommended people to gurgle with warm water, not to eat cold food like confectionaries and to keep warm.

In the west, Dr Mukesh Bhagat of Lautoka said he also treated a number of flu cases.

"On average, I had about six to 10 patients with diarrhoea and vomiting last week," he said.

Dr Ram Raju of Nadi said he received about five flu cases on average per week.

He said it was common to find people catching the common cold flu at this time of the year.

Dr Raju said if the flu didn't improve in 24 to 48 hours, those affected should seek medical advice.