The Ministry of Health has confirmed that a mass gathering on April 26th in Wainiyavu Village in the upper regions of the Namosi Province has resulted in the outbreak of typhoid cases.
They say 7 typhoid cases were recorded Wainiyavu, 1 in Burotu, 1 in Wainimakutu, 1 in Wailoaloa and 1 case in Nabukavesi.
The Ministry says the source of transmission in these 5 villages is the use of contaminated river water for common household use, while their water dam is currently being serviced by the Water Authority of Fiji.
A Medical Team mobilised a Sub-Divisional Response Outbreak Team to conduct disease investigation, community screening, water and stool sampling.
The Ministry says due to non-compliance of village restrictions the Response Teams have advised neighbouring villages in the upper Namosi Province to minimise inter-village movements and unnecessary mass gatherings.
They further say if you or someone you know is exhibiting signs and symptoms of typhoid, please seek medical attention immediately.
The Ministry says symptoms are low to high fever, headache and body pain, loss of appetite and weight loss, dry cough, sweating, abdominal pain, swelling in abdomen, diarrhoea or constipation, itching or rashes.
They further say if these signs and symptoms are untreated for a prolonged period it may lead to intestinal bleeding, hemorrhage, encephalitis (inflammation of the active tissues of the brain), delirium(a mental state in which you are confused, disoriented, and not able to think or remember clearly),endocarditis (a life-threatening inflammation of the inner lining of the heart's chambers and valves), respiratory disease such as pneumonia and bronchitis, kidney or bladder infections, pneumonia, and inflammation of heart muscles.
The Ministry of Health humbly pleads to members of the public to take note of the signs and symptoms as early detection can greatly help in the further spread of the disease.
