Dengue Outbreak Confimed On Tarawa - Kiribati

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Source: http://www.pacificmagazine.net/news/2008/06/03/dengue-outbreak-confimed-on-tarawa

Dengue Outbreak Confimed On Tarawa
By Batiri Bataua on Tarawa
Tuesday: June 03, 2008

Reports from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services in Kiribati confirm that dengue fever has hit Kiribati with 17 people diagnosed with the illness.

Director of Public Health Dr. Teraira Bangao says the disease is confined to the national capital only, South Tarawa and the ministry is doing its best to keep it at bay, since it can be very dangerous to children and adults as well.

?We are launching a mass media campaign to warn people of its dangers and what they should do for precaution measures,? he said. ?But the best advice we can give now is to report to the nearest clinic for medical inspection. We have the medications to treat and cure it.?

Meanwhile, Dr. Teraira is advising the general public to use mosquito nets when sleeping at night, destroy mosquito breeding places, keep the areas surrounding houses clean, get plenty of rest and complete prescribed medications.

An official from the World Health Organization?s Fiji office is expected to arrive in the country later this week to assist the Ministry with managing the dengue outbreak.

Copyright ? 2002 - 2008 TransOceanic Media

 

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Re: Dengue Outbreak Confimed On Tarawa

Re: Dengue Outbreak Confimed On Tarawa

Source: http://www.pacificmagazine.net/news/2008/06/07/kiribati-dengue-outbreak-spreads-causes-seven-deaths

Kiribati Dengue Outbreak Spreads, Causes Seven Deaths
By Batiri Bataua on Tarawa
Saturday: June 07, 2008

A dengue fever outbreak in Kiribati has caused seven deaths and medical officials fear it could spread from the capital, Tarawa, to out-lying atolls.

The dengue fever outbreak hit the country about three weeks ago, with at least 15 confirmed cases as of earlier this week.

Many primary and secondary school students have been hit and have to miss their classes, government officials report.

Director of Public Health Dr. Teraira Bangao says those who died were children under 10 years of age who did not receive medical assistance. Instead, they were treated with local medicine, he said.

?The whole of South Tarawa is affected,? said a statement from National Surveillance Committee of the Ministry of Health and Hospital Services. ?Some outer islands have noticed an increase in paracetamol use and patients with flu like symptoms. The Ministry of Health and Hospital Services is sending a team to verify these reports. All age groups are affected, with most cases occurring in children. More women than men report to health centers.?

Bangao also explained that because of the daily movements of people from South Tarawa to the outer islands, it is possible that the disease could spread outside South Tarawa to other islands.

A Fiji-based World Health Organization official advised health officials in neighboring countries to be on the alert. ?Countries receiving travelers from Tarawa should make sure that these travelers know to seek medical care if they get a fever, and that doctors are aware of the possibility that it can be dengue,? said Jacob Kool, Communicable Disease Surveillance and Response official for WHO, Fiji.

Countries with air links to Tarawa include Fiji, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Solomon Islands and Australia.

Meanwhile six huge organizations including the Women's Federation, youth groups, churches and the police department have joined forces for a major cleanup in the national capital with the goal of eradicating mosquito breeding areas.

 

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Re: Dengue Outbreak Confimed On Tarawa - Kiribati

Source: http://www.pacificmagazine.net/news/2008/06/14/kiribati-doctor-says-dengue-fever-under-control

Kiribati Doctor Says Dengue Fever Under Control
By Batiri Bataua on Tarawa
Saturday: June 14, 2008

The spread of dengue fever in Kiribati is under control, thanks to a very positive response from the general public, says a top health official in Tarawa.

?Without people?s cooperation in our major clean up campaign on South Tarawa and Betio, we would not have achieved this far,? said Director of Public Health Dr. Airam Metai.

Dr. Metai said the number of in-house patients with the disease, plus those reporting to clinics and health centers on South Tarawa and Betio for treatment, has reduced dramatically.

There are still sporadic cases but the number is very low compared to the start of the outbreak more than three weeks ago.

?Despite this positive response, we still remind people to use mosquito nets when sleeping, destroy mosquito breeding grounds and keep their surroundings clean and hygienic,? he said.

?Six major voluntary groups assisted us in our clean up campaign, and they included youth and women groups, church groups, the police and medical officials,? Metai said. ?And today the Environmental Youth Club on South Tarawa will stage a long march on the beaches and entertainment parks, collecting empty tins and containers.?

A World Health Organization officer from Fiji who came especially to assist in the dengue control campaign has started spraying all houses and their surroundings on Betio. After Betio, they will move to TUC area.

Since the spread of the disease began, seven people mostly children under 15 years of age died.

These people did not report to the clinics for medical assistance, but were referred to traditional medicine, and only showed up at hospital when they were in late stages of the illness.