Suva, March 13 (IANS) – Fiji’s Ministry of Health has officially declared a dengue fever outbreak in the Western Division, following a significant rise in reported cases. As of February 23, a total of 2,436 dengue cases have been recorded across the country, with 1,411 confirmed infections in the Western Division.
The recent surge in dengue cases has been linked to the heavy rains and subsequent flooding caused by Tropical Cyclone Rae. The excess water accumulation has created ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes, thereby accelerating the spread of the virus.
In response, the Health Ministry has initiated targeted interventions to curb the outbreak. Public health teams are actively conducting house-to-house surveillance, applying larvicides, and performing widespread mosquito spraying in affected areas. Environmental health officers are also enforcing stricter regulations, inspecting properties for potential mosquito breeding grounds, and issuing fines for violations under the Public Health Act.
Similar preventive measures are being implemented in other regions, including the Central, Northern, and Eastern Divisions. The Health Ministry has emphasized the importance of eliminating standing water around homes as a key strategy to prevent further outbreaks.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), dengue fever—commonly referred to as “break-bone fever”—is a viral infection transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. It is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. While most infected individuals exhibit mild or no symptoms, those who do experience high fever, severe headaches, body aches, nausea, and rashes. In severe cases, dengue can lead to life-threatening complications requiring hospitalization.
Currently, there is no specific antiviral treatment for dengue fever. Management focuses on alleviating symptoms with pain relievers and ensuring adequate hydration. The best preventive measure remains avoiding mosquito bites, particularly during peak daytime hours when transmission is most likely.
Globally, dengue has reached record-breaking levels, with 2023 witnessing over 6.5 million reported cases and more than 7,300 dengue-related deaths across 80 countries. The ongoing outbreak in Fiji highlights the critical need for sustained vector control efforts and community engagement in disease prevention.
The Fiji Ministry of Health continues to monitor the situation closely and urges the public to adopt preventive measures to mitigate the risk of further transmission.
Recent Random Post:
