Australian funding for typhoid outbreak

Australia stands ready to assist Fiji to deal with the current typhoid outbreak.

The counselor for the Australian Aid Program in Fiji, Sarah Goulding confirmed that the Australian government will provide over $AUS1 million, which is an addition to the additional Australian funding already being used to support a joint effort with the Health Ministry, the World Health Organization and UNICEF.

This includes funds to purchase an additional 60,000 typhoid vaccines and syringes.

20,000 of these vaccines are already in the country and a further 40,000 vaccines will also be obtained.  

Goulding said the funds will also be used to purchase laboratory supplies for testing and new vehicles to assist in the transport of staff and supplies to affected areas.

The funding will allow for a typhoid water and sanitation campaign to be launched which will focus on safe water, personal hygiene and food preparation.

This comes after a state of public emergency was declared in Navosa by the Health Ministry after over 100 cases of typhoid have been reported in the area.