Announcement

**Shiloh** · September 4, 2008, 08:10 PM

Re: Dengue Fever Outbreak Reported In Fiji

Source: http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=99810

Increased dengue cases surface

Friday, September 05, 2008

Update: 11:53AM There has been an increase in clinical presentations and hospital admission of possible dengue cases in Suva, confirms the Ministry of Health.

The nation has been experiencing a dengue outbreak with close to 53 cases reported nationwide.

Nine cases of dengue fever have been confirmed in the past two weeks in Suva.

According to the Ministry, dengue fever infection can occur in humans after being bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus with symptoms usually appearing two to seven days after the mosquito bite.

The public has been advised on the symptoms of dengue fever which includes fever of more then 380C; intense headache; generalised body ache and joint pains; pain behind the orbit of the eye; backache; and a generalised body rash.

The Ministry of Health advises that anyone with these symptoms should rest at home, use mosquito nets to protect themselves and others from mosquitos, take lots of fluids and Panadol medication for relief of symptoms. If symptoms persist or worsen they must consult their nearest health centre.

Dengue outbreaks are reported to have occurred in neighbouring Pacific Island nations including New Caledonia (February), March (Tonga), June (Kiribati), and July (Cook Islands).

**Shiloh** · September 6, 2008, 03:01 PM

Re: Dengue Fever Outbreak Reported In Fiji

Source: http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=99915

Dengue cases up 18 in a day

By MERESEINI MARAU
Sunday, September 07, 2008

Medical authorities have recorded an alarming rise in dengue fever cases in the West from 42 to 60 within 24 hours.

And it is expected to increase as doctors receive an average of 15 cases a day.

Senior Medical Officer Western Dr Tharid Ali said as of yesterday, the number of reported cases increased by 18.

Dr Ali said the medical authority has a contingency plan in place to control the outbreak. They ordered for more drugs and IV fluids and prepared more bed spaces as part of the plan.

He said the Health Ministry was working closely with local authorities to organise clean up campaigns in the area.

He reiterated calls to the public to help destroy the mosquito breeding grounds.

He said parents should ensure their children were protected by making them wear mosquito repellent.

Among those affected in the West are three medical officials at the hospital who live in the Vomo Street government quarters.

Dengue fever is a flu-like viral illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. It usually starts suddenly with a high fever, rash, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, and muscle and joint pain. The severity of the joint pain has given dengue the name "breakbone fever."

The mosquitoes that transmit dengue breed in discarded tyres, flower pots, old drums, and water storage containers close to human dwellings. Unlike the mosquitoes that cause malaria, dengue mosquitoes bite during the day.

**Shiloh** · September 10, 2008, 06:40 PM

Re: Dengue Fever Outbreak Reported In Fiji

Source: http://www.fijivillage.com/?mod=stor...7a09dab225c85f
Dengue Cases Rise in West
Publish date/time: 11/09/2008 [07:15]

The reported number of Dengue cases in the Western Division continues to rise with a total of 132 cases reported.

General Manager for the Lautoka Hospital, Dr Tharid Ali said the largest number of reported cases is from the Lautoka area with around seventy cases, whereas the second highest number reported is from the Sigatoka area with thirty cases.

Dr Ali said he expects the number to rise further within the next couple of days, as yesterday alone saw six more people admitted to the Lautoka Hospital for treatment.

**Shiloh** · September 11, 2008, 04:57 PM

Re: Dengue Fever Outbreak Reported In Fiji

Source: http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=100339

More people down with dengue

Friday, September 12, 2008

THE rise in dengue fever cases to 163 - an increase of 43 cases in less than 24 hours - has alarmed health authorities.

And they expect the numbers to rise in the next two weeks as the epidemic continues.

Of the 163 cases, 77 have been reported in Lautoka and 43 in Sigatoka.

West community health general manager Dr Tharid Ali said 19 cases have been reported in Tavua, nine in Ba, eight in Rakiraki and seven in Nadi.

Dr Ali is reiterating his call to people to carry out their responsibilities as they conduct their work to kill the black and white striped aedes mosquitoes responsible for spreading the illness.

Dr Ali said the epidemic is expected to last two months.

"We are in the second week of the epidemic and it will peak in the next two weeks,' he said.

Dr Ali said they were working with the Lautoka City Council to spray areas around the city.

The council's health director, Rajendra Pratap, said a truck-mounted chemical spraying machine has arrived.

And he's advised people to cover food during the spraying campaign which begins in the Waiyavi Ward today.

"The spray covers 50 meters on either side of the truck," he said, adding the spray would only be effective for 48 hours.

He said if the mosquito larvae is not destroyed, the mosquito population could still increase.

Dr Ali added the danger remains with the onset of the rainy season.

"We don't want the epidemic to prolong into the rainy season, if the epidemic is still around by the end of October, then the epidemic will take longer," he said.

Dr Ali is also reminding people that the aedes mosquito can breed indoors in flower vases and and other containers holding clean, stagnant water.

**Shiloh** · September 17, 2008, 06:42 AM

Re: Dengue Fever Outbreak Reported In Fiji

Source: http://www.fijilive.com/news_new/ind...show_news/8700

Dengue cases reach 800: Health ministry
17/09/2008

The number of dengue cases in Fiji has reached the 800 mark but the exact figure is yet to be confirmed, says the Ministry of Health.

Of this estimate number, 226 are from the Western division.

Director of Curative Health Services Ami Chandra said yesterday they had 223 cases in the West. Another three were reported this morning.

Director of Preventive Health Services Dr Losevati Alefaio told Fiji Live, 35 cases were reported in the Eastern division and 23 in the North.

The number for the central area is yet to be confirmed.

Divisional Medical Officer Western Dr Tharid Ali said they had a standardized report situation during an outbreak as such and that was how they got their updates and feedbacks from hospitals and district health centers.

He said, ?So far the highest number of cases have come up in Lautoka and we are advising people who store water to keep it covered and clear their surroundings of any mosquito breeding places?.

Dr Ali stressed that the severity of cases was also increasing and people in the Central and Western divisions continue to contract dengue fever with an alarming increase in admittance recorded daily, despite warnings and advice by the health authorities since the outbreak.

The youngest patient of dengue is a one-year-old child admitted at the Lautoka hospital. Yesterday a two year child was also admitted with severe fever, a symptom of dengue.

Dr Chandra confirmed that the ministry had started peri-focal spraying in all divisions to control the epidemic.

Fijilive

**Shiloh** · September 18, 2008, 05:24 AM

Re: Dengue Fever Outbreak Reported In Fiji

Source: http://www.fijilive.com/news_new/ind...show_news/8740

815 dengue cases, and counting
18/09/2008

The Ministry of Health is bracing for more cases of dengue with 815 people reported to have been effected so far since last month, says Director of Curative Health Services Dr Ami Chandra.

Dr Chandra said the ministry had no time frame on how long it expects to take to control the mosquito-born disease.

He confirmed to Fijilive that Fiji has category 4 Dengue, similar to the recent situation in other South Pacific countries like Samoa, New Caledonia and Kiribati.

Dr Tharid Ali, the Divisional Medical Officer in the Western Division, where the disease is more prevalent, has called on members of the public to help the ministry control the outbreak by clearing their homes and surroundings of all mosquito breeding places.

Fijilive

**Shiloh** · September 22, 2008, 10:43 AM

Re: Dengue Fever Outbreak Reported In Fiji

Source: http://www.radiofiji.com.fj/fullstory.php?id=14547

New virus in west of Fiji
Monday, September 22, 2008

There are reports of a virus in the west which has been plaguing the public.

Chief Medical Officer Western Dr Isemeli Tukana says while he has a feeling that dengue cases are slowly reducing now, many patients are complaining of a new viral illness following a change in the weather.

?There is some other cases presenting to hospital now coming with itchy throat and than turns into a cough,? said Dr Tukana.

?I am thinking may be the change of the weather brought in another new kind of viral illness but it affects the throat,? he said.

?There are increasing cases of those ones coming in but just for the headache, joint pains which we are associating with dengue seems the number is decreasing,? he added.

Dr Tukana says people with viral illness needs bed rest with lot of fluids, including fresh juices which contain vitamin C and Panadol for the pain.

Fiji Broadcasting Corporation LTD

**Shiloh** · September 24, 2008, 06:45 AM

Re: Dengue Fever Outbreak Reported In Fiji

Source: http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=101763

No new virus in the west: Rafai

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Update: 12:22PM The Fiji Centre for Communicable Disease Control has clarified there is no new virus spreading in the Western Division contrary to earlier reports.

National Adviser communicable disease at the FCCD, Eric Rafai said the only other possible virus that people are experiencing during this cold period are common seasonal respiratory viruses such as the common cold and influenza.

"In 2006, we have established through surveillance information that our seasonal peak for influenza viruses is generally during February-March, June-July and September," he said.

"These respiratory viruses have milder symptoms and are less severe then dengue fever and its complications.

"Hence a lot of effort is spent on Dengue fever because it has severe symptoms and can cause death among the younger population."

He said the prevention and control was simple as to reduce the mosquitoe population in ones backyard and in ones homes.

Earlier reports by media outlets stated Chief Medical Officer Western Dr Isimeli Tukana saying while dengue cases were slowly reducing, many patients were complaining of a new viral illness following a change in the weather.

**Shiloh** · October 2, 2008, 05:43 PM

Re: Dengue Fever Outbreak Reported In Fiji

Source: http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=102468

Friday, October 03, 2008

THERE are 1531 accumulative cases of dengue fever.

Acting Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr Timaima Tuiketei said based on their surveillance, they expected the numbers to decrease.

She said the number of cases were as of Friday.

"We would like to reiterate our advice to the public on reducing mosquito breeding places," she said.

"The numbers in the Northern, Western and Eastern divisions seem to be going down.

"In the Central Division we need to reinforce the advice."

Last week, Dr Tuiketei said there were 966 cases of dengue and that they expected the number to increase because of the wet weather. Meanwhile, the number of dengue fever cases in the Western Division is now steady and is expected to decrease in the next two weeks. Around 570 people are diagnosed with dengue fever.

Divisional Medical Officer Western Dr Tharid Ali said an average of seven to eight cases were reported across the West daily.

"It is the peak of the epidemic and the number is flattening out now. We are anticipating that in one to two weeks, the number is coming down."

Dr Ali acknowledged the efforts of the Lautoka City Council and other town councils in the division for spraying the dengue hot spots.
End of story

**Shiloh** · October 8, 2008, 05:17 AM

Re: Dengue Fever Outbreak Reported In Fiji

Source: http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=42398

Fiji dengue cases climb to 1,800

Posted at 01:17 on 08 October, 2008 UTC

Fiji?s ministry of health says more than 1,800 people are now suffering from dengue fever.

The country declared a dengue outbreak on September the 2nd.

The dengue virus is transmitted by mosquitoes and can be fatal.

The ministry?s director of primary preventative health services, Dr Losevati Alefaio, says it?s affecting everyone, and the youngest victim is a two-month old baby.

?We had a total of 1849 cases. That?s for the whole of Fiji. It still hasn?t moved away from the central divison and the western divison. That?s where the cases are mostly.?

Dr Losevati Alefaio says the ministry is spraying and running public awareness campaigns, but adds the public must get rid of water containers where larvae breed and wear insect repellent at all times

**Treyfish** · October 17, 2008, 11:29 PM

Re: Dengue Fever Outbreak Reported In Fiji

Pacific hit by dengue pandemic

Saturday, October 18, 2008

+ Enlarge this image
Patients wait at the Emergency Unit in Suva, at the height of the dengue outbreak

APIA, SAMOA AAP - A tiny mosquito lands on its human prey in a small Pacific nation and begins to feast on their blood.
If lucky, they will suffer just an itchy bite but there's the danger they could be struck down with debilitating dengue fever - and this year's outbreak could be the worst ever.
The potentially-fatal disease from the Aedes aegypti mosquito is in pandemic proportions.
More than 500 people have been diagnosed in Samoa, at least 1000 in both New Caledonia and Fiji and close to 900 in Kiribati.
But researchers believe the real number is at least double these figures, because so many people do not seek, or cannot reach, medical help.
In countries, such as PNG and Solomon Islands, other medical problems like malaria cause the fever to go undetected.
Sylvia Roberts, 21, from Samoa knows only too well how dangerous the mosquito's bite can be.
On December 29 last year her 17-year-old brother Francis Roberts died after being bitten while in the nation's capital, Apia.
"Every time he woke up he started talking and would jump on the bed and tried to jump off the balcony. So he like ... he got crazy," Roberts says.
"In the end he was paralysed, he couldn't talk. Then he was gone - just like that," she says snapping her fingers.
Her brother was strong and fit, but that didn't protect him.
"He loved sports, he loved playing rugby and he was a smart kid. He loved accounting and maths. He was never into anything stupid," she explains.
Dr Kevin Palmer of the World Health Organisation says dengue fever has spread widely this year.
"At the Pacific Arts Festival a lot of people went there, and there was a risk of people getting it. There was dengue in Pago Pago (the festival venue) - then they went home and brought it back," he says.
Symptoms vary but are often associated with a fever, headaches, joint pain and a rash.
For most people it is not fatal but as the virus develops, complications can lead to haemorrhagic fever and uncontrolled bleeding.
"When you get to hemorrhagic, you get bleeding in your gums. You can get bleeding under the skin. You poke the skin and get hemorrhaging," Palmer said from his Samoa office.
"The worst kind is the shock syndrome, where your whole circulatory system just shuts down. That is pretty rare," he says, adding that says instead of spending millions guarding against an outbreak of bird flu, more money should be spent on fighting dengue, which occurs in all Pacific countries except New Zealand.
It is not just locals who contract dengue, but tourists too.
Australian aid worker Tim Bryar contracted dengue while working in Samoa.
"Your skin just starts to feel, a bit prickly ... I just started feeling that and I knew something was coming on," he says.
"The next day I just felt terrible," Bryar says.
He has since recovered, but with four strains of dengue in the Pacific, he could fall victim again.
There is no vaccine for dengue, and no specific treatment. Once contracted doctors advise patients to take fluids and rest.

http://www.fijitimes.com.fj/story.aspx?id=103700

**Shiloh** · November 15, 2008, 09:47 PM

Re: Dengue Fever Outbreak Reported In Fiji

Source: http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=106370

Dengue alert not as bad
Sunday, November 16, 2008

DIRECTOR Primary Health Services Dr Losevati Alefaio says the dengue fever alert is not as serious as what Fiji experienced 10 years ago when 24,000 cases were recorded.

Dr Alefaio said Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga and Samoa were considered type 4, which was similar for other small Pacific island nations.

Her comments follow the adoption of state of the art heat-sensitive camera by New Caledonia's La Tontouta Airport, filming all passengers with particular attention given to passengers from neighbouring countries, particularly Fiji.

New Caledonia faces a dengue type 1 epidemic, with over 1000 cases reported.

The heat-sensitive cameras, which uses infrared technology, monitors all passengers in order to determine unusually high body temperature.

When the remotely detected temperature exceeds 37.5 degrees Celsius, the arriving passenger, regardless of whether he is a local resident of a visiting foreigner, is approached by health agents to fill a form that will provide for a free blood test at the local Pasteur medical institute.

A copy of the form is also simultaneously transmitted to the suspected passenger's place of residence, where local authorities are then asked to activate a targeted insecticide spraying campaign.

The targeted spraying is also known as "perifocal" tactic.

**Shiloh** · December 17, 2008, 08:57 PM

Re: Dengue Fever Outbreak Reported In Fiji

Source: http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=109198

Ministry warns of dengue risk

Thursday, December 18, 2008

HEALTH authorities are advising the general public to be on guard and avoid contracting dengue fever.

This is despite reports from the Colonial War Memorial Hospital recording around one to two cases of dengue fever in a week.

CWMH's acting general manager Doctor Ifereimi Waqainabete said they were getting around one to two cases of dengue a week.

"We are only getting about one to two cases in a week. And it has dropped now compared to the last time where there was an outbreak of the disease," he added.

Dr Waqainabete said people should clean their compounds and destroy all mosquito-breeding places as precautionary measures.

**Shiloh** · January 12, 2009, 08:59 AM

Re: Dengue Fever Outbreak Reported In Fiji

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...efer=australia

Fiji Declares Emergency as Storms Kill Five People (Update1)
By Tracy Withers and Ed Johnson

Jan. 12 (Bloomberg) -- Fiji declared a state of emergency in its western regions after storms caused floods, killing five people, forcing thousands from their homes and stranding tourists.

A tropical depression brought heavy rains at the weekend, causing rivers to burst their banks and inundating towns and villages, the government said. Waters in the tourist hub of Nadi are receding today, though roads remain closed.

The government warned of a high risk of water borne diseases, such as diarrhea, typhoid and dengue fever and urged people to boil all drinking water. It told people living in low lying areas to move to higher ground and opened 108 evacuation centers, sheltering more than 9,000 people.

The situation may worsen as another storm is forecast by midweek, bringing ?stronger winds and heavy rainfall,? Aisea Quminakelo, Fiji?s principal disaster management officer, said in a statement.

The governments of Australia and New Zealand urged travelers to monitor the situation in Fiji closely. About 600 New Zealand tourists are in Fiji and were stuck in their resorts because of closed roads and flooding, the New Zealand Herald reported, citing Brent Thomas of House of Travel Ltd.

Another 500 are scheduled to arrive this week. Flights haven?t been disrupted but there could be backlogs once roads open and people begin to leave, Thomas said.

The cyclone season in the region runs from November to April and storms sometimes result in flooding and landslides. Fiji?s weather office posted a strong wind warning for several islands and warned of rough seas and flash flooding, according to its Web site.

Fiji is a 332-island archipelago located in the South Pacific Ocean, about 3,240 kilometers (2,013 miles) northeast of Australia.

To contact the reporters on this story: Tracy Withers in Wellington at twithers@bloomberg.net; Ed Johnson in Sydney at ejohnson28@bloomberg.net.
Last Updated: January 11, 2009 19:12 EST

Announcement

Dengue Fever Outbreak Reported In Fiji

Dengue Fever Outbreak Reported In Fiji

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